BRYAN, Texas — Starting Sept. 21, restaurants throughout Texas are allowed to seat at 75 percent capacity once again.
For the second time since the pandemic started, restaurants are allowed to seat three-fourths of its full capacity. However, with coronavirus still very present, some local dining establishments say they are still not ready to serve so many at once.
“We were just doing a brisk take out, curbside, and then just three weeks ago, we opened up limited dining inside, and just every other table, which for us is just six tables, so we’re just under that 50 percent threshold," Caffe Capri owner Rami Ceroni.
Due to size, some restaurants are simply unable to allow more people in while maintaining social distancing.
“Some of the bigger restaurants can actually take advantage of the full 75 percent. When we did the full measurement on it, we measured about 60 percent. Still better than 50 percent so, anything better than 50 percent is going to be welcomed change," said Solt owner Chef Tai Lee.
As some restaurants adjust to these changing rules, they are switching up their normal routines.
"Right now, we’re putting up plexiglass dividers, making sure that all our booths are safe and distanced from each other physically with the dividers," said All the King's Men owner Aaron Curs.
At the end of the day, these owners agree that providing confidence in health and safety at their restaurants is most important.
“Almost all of us are trying our best to keep it as safe as possible, spaced out where you’re not having kind of close face to face with people, staff or other customers, so I just want tor reassure everyone out there that the industry is taking this very seriously," said Curs.
These three restaurants will be approaching the 75 percent capacity with caution as they continue to serve the community. In addition to restaurants, stores, gyms and offices are also allowed to open at 75 percent capacity. Bars are still closed at this time.