BALTIMORE — Baltimore Mayor Jack Young on Thursday signed an Executive Order easing restrictions on indoor dining in the city.
The changes will go into effect Friday at 5 p.m.
Under the new executive order, indoor restaurants can seat up to 25 people at a time or 25 percent capacity, whichever number is lower, until 10 p.m.
After that, kitchens can remain open but only for outdoor dining or carry-out. Restaurant staff does count towards the cap, according to Young's order.
Meanwhile, indoor establishments that only serve alcohol and no food must remain closed.
Social distancing will have to be followed and everyone will need to wear face coverings except when eating or drinking.
Despite limited indoor dining being allowed, several Fells Point restaurants say they've chosen to just stick with carry-out and outdoor dining, until the virus is more under control.
Those restaurants include: The Admirals Cup, Max’s Taphouse, Kooper’s Tavern, Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant, Woody’s Cantina, Thames Street Oyster House, DogWatch Tavern, Wharf Rat, The Point, Bertha’s, Duck Duck Goose, Pie in the Sky, The Abbey Burger Bistro, The Waterfront Hotel, Pierpoint Restaurant, Cat’s Eye Pub, Joe Benny’s, and Lobo.
RELATED:Young reimposes Baltimore indoor dining ban, orders everyone age 2+ to wear mask
The cap of 25 people or 25 percent also applies to all indoor and outdoor gatherings including at malls, retail stores, religious institutions, recreation establishments, and the casino, which is run by the state.
Recreation establishments include bingo and pool halls, bowling alleys, roller and ice skating rinks, social and fraternal clubs, and any other establishment subject to Maryland's admission/amusement tax.
In the case of a larger building with multiple separate rooms or areas, the cap of 25 applies to each of those individual areas.
The lifting of some restrictions comes after Young reimposed a complete outdoor dining ban on July 22.
As of Thursday, the city's positivity rate stood at 5.44 percent, its lowest level since July 9.
Read the complete order below.
Indoor Dining Restrictions by Wmar Web on Scribd
