With each announcement from the Governor’s office about North Carolina’s progress toward reopening businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry listens closely. Throughout the pandemic, hospitality has been hit hard by closures, limited diners, and the added expense of sanitation and protective equipment for staff. As North Carolina moves forward in its reopening plan, the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association continues to advocate on behalf of the state’s hospitality industry. “We have absolutely been talking with the governor’s senior leadership team on a daily basis during Covid-19,” NCRLA President Lynn Minges says. 

Governor Cooper will make an announcement this week regarding the next steps in reopening. Here is what the NCRLA is pushing for. 

100 percent capacity with social distancing
Restaurants are currently limited to 50 percent capacity in their dining rooms, with social distancing required between tables. The NCRLA is hoping the Governor’s office will allow restaurants to open without capacity limits, but with social distancing required between tables. “In effect, it wouldn’t mean much increase in capacity for restaurants, but for some could mean another two or three or four tables,” Minges says. “That could certainly make a big difference if they could turn those tables multiple times in an evening.”

To-go cocktails
This seems like a no-brainer — a majority of states have allowed cocktails to go as a way to help restaurants boost revenue. With several religious and conservative representatives blocking legislation temporarily allowing mixed beverages to go and the legislature out of session, NCRLA is hoping the governor’s office can step in. However, it remains unclear whether Gov. Roy Cooper has the legal authority to allow it. “We would love to see it done by executive order if it is legal for the governor to do so,” Minges says. “It will certainly be a big help.” Conversations between NCRLA, the ABC Chairman, and the governor’s senior staff are ongoing. Consumer research is behind them; according to Minges, their surveys indicate customers overwhelmingly support the measure.

Ending the 11 p.m. curfew
The 11 p.m. cutoff of liquor sales was extended as the state moved into Phase 3 earlier this month, and the NCRLA is advocating that the curfew be eliminated. However, according to the executive order, Covid-19 spread is more likely as people drink and get more loose with safety precautions — the same reason bars were only recently allowed to open.