New bar and restaurant rules: Patios, masks, and social distancing

Minnesota’s bars and restaurants can reopen in June.

The experience won’t be anything like you were used to before coronavirus.

Gov. Tim Walz announced the conditions required for reopening June 1 on Wednesday afternoon. Among the new rules in place:

• Service will be restricted to outdoor seating, and restricted to tables spaced six feet apart;
• No sitting at the bar;
• No more than 50 customers seated at a time;
• Parties no larger than four people per table, or six, for families;
• Reservations are required;
• Masks would be mandatory for restaurant staff, and are “strongly recommended for customers,” according to a fact sheet that accompanied Walz’s announcement.

Restaurants have been closed from on-site service since March 17.  Continue reading.