If you are one of those planning to sit down and dine al fresco on Friday, there are a few things you might want to consider before heading out the door.

Under Ohio’s ResponsibleRestart guidance, dine-in services cannot resume until Thursday, May 21, 2020. However, bars and restaurants can open their patios to diners beginning Friday.

According to the Ohio Restaurant Association, it will not be business as usual, though. Restaurateurs will be operating with new policies and procedures, as mandated by the state.

Diners should expect to see tables, booths, chairs, and barstools blocked off and spaced out to achieve social distancing. Employees will be wearing face coverings unless they have written exceptions.

Although face coverings are not mandatory for customers, the state recommends their use except when eating or drinking

Expect to see signs about hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing, as well as signs directing guests where to stand, walk, and wait.

Customers may see more touchless pay, limited menus, and perhaps different operating hours.

The Mt. Carmel Society in Lowellville plans some grand reopening drink specials when it reopens its deck on Friday. Bathrooms and ATM will be made available but there will be no interior seating until May 21st.

The hours of operation will be 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm the kitchen will be closed until remediation work is completed.

To comply with social distancing, no more than 20 customers will be permitted at one time on the deck.

When Birdfish Brewing in Columbiana opens its patio at noon on Saturday, owners are asking customers to pay attention to signs posted to protect employees and other customers.

See a comprehensive list of state requirements and recommendations below: