North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen their dining rooms on Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. as the state enters phase two of the governor’s three-phase approach to returning to normal operation. The governor calls the second phase a “safer at home recommendation.”

“Just because you can go more places, doesn’t mean you always should,” Cooper says.

Dining rooms will have to operate at no more than 50 percent capacity, with tables spaced six feet apart. Increased sanitation methods must be implemented, according to the guidelines released by N.C.’s Health and Human Services, and staff members must be sent home when showing any symptoms, among other requirements. Bars remain closed, along with several other types of establishments that Cooper called higher risk of causing community spread.

Cooper urged everyone to be considerate of businesses as they reopen.

“Show them the courtesy of patience, as they weigh how to best serve their customers and to stay safe,” he said. “We owe that to them.”

The guidelines for reopening were released by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday. Many restaurants, however, say they will not be ready to open by Friday. Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, says the phase will likely last five weeks, which would be until June 26. —Kristen Wile

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