Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has announced a plan to help newly-opening restaurants and retail expand capacity while complying with new safety guidelines. WUKY's Josh James explains.
When restaurants reopen on May 22, state guidelines will limit their indoors seating capacity to just 33 percent. Many smaller establishments have said that simply isn't enough.
In a bid to work around those constrainst, Lexington is looking for ways to help restaurants seat more customers outside -- where capacity is unlimited as long as restaurants meet social distancing rules. Mayor Linda Gorton said the city is willing to help.
The change will require the city to suspend some code, permits, and fees. Businesses will still need permission from the Fayette County Health Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control.
The changes will last for three weeks initially, but the mayor says that could be extended.