Food & Beverage Takeout Updates

For the full video update from Mayor Sorace, visit www.facebook.com/CityOfLancasterPA/videos/187515649142996.

YELLOW PHASE OUTDOOR DINING GUIDELINES

Beginning June 5, restaurants and retail food service businesses located in yellow phase are permitted to add dine-in service in outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, including maximum occupancy limits: 

– Indoor areas, including bar areas, of restaurants and retail food service businesses must be closed to customers except for through-traffic. Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e., tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.   

– Customers being served must be seated at a table.  Provide at least six feet between parties at tables. 

– Limit to 50% of stated fire capacity or 12 people per 1,000 square feet if there is not a fire code number available.   

– Don’t use shared tables among multiple parties unless the seats can be arranged to maintain six feet of distance between parties.  

– Allow no more than 10 people at a table, unless they are a family from the same household.   

– Utilize reservations for dining on premises to maintain records of all appointments, including contact information for all customers.   

– Use single-use disposable menus (e.g., paper) and discard after each customer, or utilize a written posting such as a chalkboard or whiteboard to relay menu information. 

Prohibitions are also included. The following are not permitted:   

– No self-service food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, condiments, and drink stations. 

– No condiments on tables; these must be dispensed by employees upon the request of a customer. 

More information can be found at www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-issues-updated-green-phase-order-guidance-on-dining-and-professional-sports.

TEMPORARY SIDEWALK CAFES

The City is working to pass an Outdoor Dining Ordinance with temporary licenses that would allow the City to designate public areas for the consumption of food and beverage. The City hopes to adopt the Ordinance and put it into effect on June 5, when we move to yellow! 

This Ordinance:   

– Allows restaurants with sidewalk café licenses from the city to expand their outdoor seating;  

– Allows restaurants without sidewalk café licenses to quickly obtain one;  

– Allows these areas to be utilized by patrons of restaurants during the County’s phased reopening;  

– Establishes rules and regulations for the use of these areas to assure health compliance;  

– Is consistent with the liquor code and current and expected PLCB regulations;  

– Consumption of alcoholic beverages in these areas will not be a violation of open container laws.   

 Temporary Sidewalk Café licenses will:   

– Be available in all zoning districts.  

– Require no fees  Be easy to apply for. 

– Applications will be available tomorrow.