Austin Restaurants May Increase Capacity to 75% Starting Friday

AUSTIN, TX – Restaurants in Austin will be allowed to increase their occupancy to 75 percent on Friday, as part of the governor's Phase 3 reopening plan.

According to the plan, counties that have 10 or less active COVID-19 cases may expand their occupancy limits to 75 percent. This is an increase from the 50 percent occupancy that went into effect as of June 3, in accordance with the re-opening plan.

Starting on June 3, restaurants were allowed to expand their maximum table size from six to 10 people. Bars and similar establishments were allowed to increase their capacity to 50 percent, as long as patrons were seated.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's re-opening plan encourages people who are going out in public to wear appropriate face coverings, avoid groups larger than 10 people, and avoid long-term care facilities. People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home as much as possible.

As restaurant operators grapple with how to reopen their businesses while adhering to safeguards to prevent spread of the coronavirus, an industry nonprofit has released guidelines on how to proceed.

Good Work Austin, a nonprofit formed in Austin in 2018 with a self-described mission of creating a supportive environment for employers who want to do the right thing for their workers, the economy and the environment, has released its restaurant reopening guidelines.

Related:

• Coronavirus: Travis County Count 4,238, 2 New Deaths
• Coronavirus: Nonprofit Releases Guidance On Reopening Restaurants