PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It's a little taste of normalcy. Indoor dining is back in Philadelphia, and it's something many have been anticipating.
Capacity is limited to 25% of the fire code occupancy for seated dining, with a table maximum of four people.
Lauren Conway of Southampton said she couldn't remember the last time she dined inside at a restaurant. So going to brunch with her three friends at Sabrina's Café this weekend was a big deal.
"I was like, 'Yay! We're going to a restaurant! This is awesome,'" said Conway.
But she pointed out that nothing is like it was before. For one, she was wearing a mask at her table, though diners are not required to do so while seated.
"It's definitely different, but (I wear a mask) in order to be comfortable and to feel comfortable around others," she said. "I 100% support masks and would rather people wear them."
Manager Ryan McCabe said the restaurant has been preparing for this day. "We were waiting for the city to let us do it and safely," he said. "We do have plexiglass up between the tables and just extra sanitation."
McCabe said his customers have been anticipating this as well.
"We don't do reservations," he said, "but for the last three weeks people have been calling asking about indoor dining."
But many were also lined up outside waiting to pick up takeout, not ready to venture indoors just yet.
"I feel like there's still like an elephant in the room, but at least it's also like a sense of hope," said Conway. "I'm just excited for the new year and that we can maybe get back to just a sense of normalcy ... whatever normal is, now."
Theaters and performance spaces are also allowed to reopen at 10% maximum capacity or 10 people per 1,000 square feet with no food or drink allowed, and colleges are now also allowed to resume in-person classes.
