COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina restaurants are now able to have in-person dining again, as long as the customers sit outside.
The governor's order allowing for restaurants to serve outdoor went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday. While it's not clear what percentage of restaurants launched, there were clearly businesses serving outdoors in the Midlands right away.
Gov. Henry McMaster had ordered all restaurants to go to takeout, delivery, or drive-thru only in March. But after hearing from restaurants owners during a task force meeting last week, he decided to ease the restrictions on outdoor dining.
In store dining is still prohibited. A target date for that restriction to be lifted has not yet been announced.
Here are the new rules on outdoor dining:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Limit table groups to 8 individuals;
- Eliminate gatherings in the building when entering or exiting outdoor seating area;
- Maintain strict social/physical distancing guidelines;
- Tables, chairs, and seats should be sanitized after every customer
If open areas and/or temporary tents are utilized by existing, permitted restaurants, all sides of the tent must be open and the following conditions are required:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Table groups are to be limited to 8 individuals;
- State approved fire extinguisher within 75 feet of tent area;
- Minimum of 7-foot-6 inch head room (ceiling height)