Pinellas County rules still apply when bars open Monday
September 12, 2020 - Pinellas County officials say countywide restrictions that are in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 will still apply when bars are allowed to reopen. Florida bars can resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Monday, Sept. 14, under a new state order. In addition to a state restriction requiring bars to open at 50 percent of capacity and for seated service only, Pinellas County Ordinance 20-14 has a half-dozen additional restrictions:
•Employees must wear a face covering whether directly or indirectly preparing food or drinks, whether having customer contact or not, and whether indoors or outdoors.
•Patrons must wear a face covering except when seated and consuming food or a drink and distanced six feet from other parties
•Standing at a bar is prohibited. The state’s reopening plan and the County ordinance require that patrons be seated to be served drinks for on-site consumption.
•Tables/bar stools must be spaced so that individuals and their companion(s) are separated six feet from others. Tables are limited to 10 guests.
•Standing areas are not allowed. Patrons waiting to be seated must remain distanced in groups of no more than 10 people.
•Bars and restaurants must establish rules that encourage social distancing, hand-washing and other protective measures based on CDC guidance.