City of Covington issued the following announcement on June 16.
SAFE START REOPENING PLAN – PHASE 1.5 GUIDELINES FOR RESTAURANTS AND UTILIZING OUTDOOR DINING
Working together, Covington can and will see a healthy and safe restart to our economy while continuing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
WHAT IS PHASE 1.5?
King County is currently in Phase 1.5 of Governors Jay Inslee’s Safe Start Reopening Plan. Phase 1.5 gives our local restaurants the ability to resume business, but at a lower occupancy. All indoor dining services may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance, with the exception that at no time may the number of customers be more than 25% of the tables provided, and such tables and chairs must be more than six feet away from each other with no more than five people per table.
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO OUTDOOR DINING?
All outdoor dining activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance, at 50% outdoor capacity, with all tables and chairs maintaining six feet of distance. Outdoor dining does not count toward the capacity requirement for indoors. In an effort to support our local economy, businesses in Covington that typically do not have outdoor seating may now do so subject to the following guidelines.
OUTDOOR DINING GUIDELINES:
Any restaurant providing outdoor seating should comply the following:
- Businesses must maintain proper Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access to and around their business (44” of minimum clear paved travel path).
- Fire Department access including access to outdoor fire department Knox key boxes, stand- pipes and related fire requirements shall not be blocked.
- Businesses serving alcohol outdoors must receive approval from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board as required for liquor licensing.
- Businesses are asked to seek permission from their property management company or landlord to expand their outdoor seating capacity.
- Outdoor seating must meet the appropriate Phased guidelines and maintain a minimum of six feet spacing between tables and seating and no more than five people per table.
- Proper gating/fencing of the outdoor seating area to separate seating areas from parking.
- No outdoor seating may be placed in required landscape areas.
- Outdoor seating may not utilize public right of ways or sidewalks.
- These temporary outdoor seating allowances may be adjusted or amended anytime to comply with the appropriate Phase or city code.
- Due to the constantly changing needs associated with a safe restart; a permit may be required upon notification from the City.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up