TITLE: Title
Increased Outdoor Dining Space and Other Actions to Support Businesses Opening Under Social Distancing Requirements
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with information on actions that could be taken to support phased opening as COVID-19-related restrictions on businesses operations are eased.
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DEPARTMENT: Town Manager, Planning, Public Works, Economic Development, Recreation and Parks, Police
CONTACT INFORMATION: Patricia McGuire - 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org;,
INFORMATION: The exploration of measures that the Town could support the opening of businesses has been occurring during the COVID-19 closures. A Town survey (Attachment A) distributed the week of May 12 provides information on business needs and actions they see as assisting. Governor Roy Cooper's Order #141 and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (Attachments B & C) pertaining to the second phase of opening service describe requirements that will be in place through June 26, 2020. A bill passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on May 28th indicates the extent to which this topic is front and center throughout the State, as it is in Carrboro (Attachment D). There is some indication that Governor Cooper may veto this bill. The current conditions are that front-door, in-house, and curbside pickup options have been in use by a number of retail businesses and restaurants. Under the Phase 2 order, restaurants that wish to provide in-house are subject to limitations on the numbers of customers and table spacing, use of PPE and sanitizing requirements. Mask use by customers is recommended, not required; a source of concern for some owners.
Uncertainty about customer willingness to dine-in, combined with the lowered capacity and additional requirements, as well as the possibility that stricter provisions or additional closings may be necessary should COVID-19 surges occur, suggest that some restaurants may continue to provi...
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