As we have already seen, many restaurant owners across Atlanta are not comfortable with reopening their dining rooms to patrons, in spite of the order from Governor Kemp allowing them to do so. Some feel that reopening is happening too soon, and while they desperately want to begin rehiring furloughed staff, they want to do so only when it is safe and financially practical. Many business owners have raised concerns about their ability to comply with newly released Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for bars and restaurants that have come along with Governor Kemp’s reopening orders.
In an attempt to find the safest way to reopen, the city of Brookhaven is experimenting with a new dining format for it’s local restaurants. Mayor John Ernst recently signed an executive order allowing restaurants to erect tents in their parking lots and utilize their outdoor space for seating areas. Outside dining like this would otherwise be prohibited by city codes. The order will last for the next 90 days, and enables restaurants who would like to reopen to diners to do so, in a way some feel could be safer.
So what are the requirements to obtain one of these outdoor dining permits? While the permit is free to obtain, a business owner must submit an application that includes permission from their landlord to use the parking lot for this purpose, and a site plan showing how the seating area will be spaced out. Applications are accepted via email and will be approved within 48 hours.
Why go this route? There are several reasons why outdoor seating could be a safer, and smarter, strategy for Brookhaven’s bars and restaurants. The State of Georgia’s new regulations state that there can be no more than 10 people for each 500 square feet of dining space. Allowing restaurants to use their parking lots in this manner greatly increases space for many. Smaller establishments that might not be able to afford to reopen given how few diners they could serve may benefit greatly from this alternative. There could be health benefits to dining out in the open air rather than inside restaurants as well. Recent studies indicate the Covid-19 virus spreads more quickly and easily in enclosed spaces.
Restaurants and bars in Brookhaven may of course opt not to apply for an outdoor dining permit. They are also not required to reopen if they have been closed completely, nor are they obligated to begin allowing diners to eat inside if they would rather continue as take-out or delivery only. However, this measure does allow for more creativity and flexibility for those who would like to take advantage of it.
So far we don’t know which restaurants in Brookhaven have applied for the permit, but as soon as we hear about it, we’ll let you know where you can take advantage of open-air, al fresco dining!