Arizona Restaurant Week kicking off amid new coronavirus protocols
Jun 19, 2020, 4:05 AM
(Getty Images/Sarah Silbiger)
(Getty Images/Sarah Silbiger)
PHOENIX — The spring edition of Arizona Restaurant Week: Dine in or Take Out is set to kick off Friday at 11 a.m. following additional operational requirements for restaurants and bars in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The statewide restaurant festivities will occur through June 28, and there are 114 establishments currently participating.
Arizona Restaurant Week: Dine in or Take Out is also scheduled to return Sept. 18-27.
On Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued new requirements mandating the use of face masks by some restaurant and bar employees and strengthening social distancing protocols within such establishments.
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All restaurant and bar employees that interact with customers are now required to wear a face covering and must also be screened for coronavirus symptoms by their employers prior to the start of their shifts.
In addition to maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet between customers and limiting parties to no more than 10 individuals, restaurants and bars must clearly mark tables and chairs that are not in use.
Last month, Arizona Restaurant Association president and CEO Steve Chucri announced that the forthcoming Arizona Restaurant Weeks would be adapting to the coronavirus pandemic by allowing patrons the option to dine in or take out during the festivities.
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At the time, the Arizona Restaurant Association had expected more than 200 Valley restaurants to be involved.
The two 10-day events encourage patrons to head to participating restaurants where they can dine on three-course, prix-fixe menus for just $33 or $44 per person.
Following Ducey’s prior decision to allow restaurants to reopen on May 11, many establishments decided to forgo reopening immediately or have once again closed their doors amid a statewide surge in confirmed coronavirus cases.
