Franklincountynow.com Staff Report
(LOWELL) –Massachusetts restaurants will soon be able seat up to 10 people at a table and use their bar areas to serve food, Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday.
The moves that take effect Monday are intended to help the industry that has faced severe restrictions intended to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We hope these updates also help Main Street shops and restaurants,” the Republican governor said during a news briefing at the Mill City BBQ & Brew restaurant in Lowell.
The 10-person-per-table limit is up from six.
Bar areas can be used for food service as long as proper distancing measures remain in place, he said.
“No standing around the bar, OK?” Baker said.
The changes were made based on the experiences of other states that “clearly” shows restaurants can safely use bar areas, he said.
They also come at a time when approaching colder weather makes outdoor dining less viable.
The state’s Stop The Spread program that offers free testing in 18 cities and towns around the state with high levels of virus transmission will be extended until the end of October, Baker said.