The North Carolina state Senate voted 42-5 Thursday to pass a measure to let bars reopen outdoors only and allow additional outdoor seating for restaurants. In the House, it was a much closer 65-53 vote as nearly all Democrats voted against it. Under Governor Roy Cooper’s current order, bars must be shuttered through late June. Restaurants were allowed to partially reopen indoor dining areas last week.
During a Thursday news conference, Cooper said, "I believe there will be a time when we can reopen bars, but that time is not now." He did not explicitly mention a potential veto.
The bill, sponsored by Alamance County Republican Senator Rick Gunn, would allow bars and restaurants to operate outdoors at 50% of total capacity. Gunn said, "My bill treats restaurants and bars the same, and it follows the lead of other jurisdictions by allowing safe outdoor seating options. This is a lifeline to a dying industry."
Bars could reopen outdoors only under the bill, and would be limited to serving 100 people or 50% of outdoor capacity, whichever is less. Restaurants and breweries that have partially reopened would also be allowed to provide a similar outdoor option.
Since restrictions began in mid-March, more than 956,000 people in North Carolina have filed unemployment claims, with the state’s jobless rate climbing above 12% in April.
In a press release, Senate Republicans said many other states and cities across the country are promoting outdoor seating as a safe way for bars and restaurants to stay afloat, with considerable evidence that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors compared to outdoors.
"Other states and cities are expanding outdoor seating options based on the science, facts, and data,” Gunn stated. “This industry has taken the brunt of the shutdown, and this policy just makes sense. I hope Gov. Cooper will support it."
Lt. Governor Dan Forest issued a statement commending the passage of HB536, saying "Unless the Cooper administration can provide specific science and data that proves sitting outside a bar is more dangerous than sitting outside a restaurant, this should become law - letting more North Carolinians get back to work."