Restaurants prepare to re-open dining rooms while keeping with social distancing

Jacksonville, FL — With Phase 1 starting Monday, restaurants will be able to re-open their dining rooms and retail stores can also open to the public.

But as you head out to enjoy a meal at your favorite eatery keep in mind things won’t be like you remember them.

Restaurants are preparing to handle a controlled influx of on-site diners due to the 25% capacity rule mandated by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

For weeks now Latin Creations has been staying afloat thanks to take out orders and loyal customers.

The business was even gifted a $1,000 check this month thanks to Storage Zone which purchased that much in gift cards to help.

Owner Maria Vazquez is thankful for the help.

“It’s been hard but we’re here and we’re planning to stay,” said Vazquez.

Starting Monday, Vazquez will be able to open her dining room in a limited capacity.

“We only have 40 chairs so that would be probably, 25%, will be like we’re going to have like five tables available,” said Vazquez.

They’re already working on spacing them out to be 6-feet apart.

“Hoping that our clients will be patient,” said Vazquez.

Singleton’s Seafood Shack posted to its Facebook Wednesday saying it’ll even put tables in the parking lot for those who don’t want to dine in.

Vazquez said times like these call for some creativity.

“We not only want to keep you safe we want to keep us safe because if we’re not safe and any of us get sick that means we need to shut down,” said Vazquez.

The same 25% capacity limit goes for retail stores as well.