When Will San Diego Greenlight Seated Dining?

Today, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan that will help steer local businesses towards reopening once California’s public health restrictions have been lifted. Called “San Diego Ready”, the guidelines were developed by the Responsible COVID-19 Economic Reopening Advisory Group (RECOVER), comprised of City of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, County Supervisor Greg Cox, and experts from different industry sectors.

Designed to ensure the safety of customers and employees once businesses reopen, it details strategies for employee health, entry to worksite, workplace distancing and conditions, employee training and compliance, and enhanced cleaning and sanitation, with additional recommendations for customer-facing businesses that include requiring all patrons/visitors wear facial coverings and expanding outdoor seating where possible.

The RECOVER team includes the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association and the plan says has the group has adopted restaurant reopening guidelines that include social distancing, team member training, a commitment to dining public, and a public educational program. Additional details have not yet been given.

Though restaurants have been grouped with retail in “phase two” of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan, the reactivation of seated dining is not part of the easing of state restrictions that has been announced for Friday, May 8. The governor has signaled that he will lean on local and regional health departments and governments for the final decision on the reopening of restaurant dining rooms; according to 10News, San Diego County will be sending a letter to Newsom requesting “total local control” on decisions regarding COVID-19.