FLORIDA — Northeast Florida restaurants reopened for dine-in patrons for the first time since the pandemic Monday.
At Coop 303 in Atlantic Beach, General Manager J.P. Diedrich said they reached capacity multiple times their first night. With the 25-percent capacity rule, that means about 50 people at a time.
Karisma and Ivan De Asis wedding day was eight years ago Monday.
The two healthcare workers got to celebrate their true anniversary on the first night Florida allowed people to dine-out at restaurants.
“We’ve been taking precautions, so that’s why we usually take the whole family, take the kids and everything, but we had to leave them at home,” Karisma De Asis said.
Coronavirus pandemic: Click here for updates
Around them, sanitation stands were set up, as were reminders to social distance.
Tables marked ‘Reserved’ weren’t seated, but instead used to create space, as right now, Florida restaurants are capped at one-quarter capacity.
“Every server is wearing gloves, a mask, they can bring their own, we supply them, as well,” Diedrich said. “We wash our hands often, we’re all individually practicing social distancing, so we hear everything that is on the news, as well, as everyone else that’s out there, so we’re all in the same boat.”
But, not everyone around here reopened Monday.
Sliders Oyster Bar and Poe’s Tavern are both looking at opening toward the end of the week.
Back at Coop 303, this is always a special day for the De Asis family, but 2020 may just be the anniversary they never forget.
“We’re just glad that it seems like a little bit normal,” Karisma De Asis said.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
