SC restaurants are open at 100% capacity, but many still prefer ‘limited’ seating

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Some may remember walking into a restaurant and being asked if they wanted a smoking or non-smoking section.

Now, some South Carolina restaurants are asking if patrons want to sit in limited capacity or no-limit sections.

This is the first week that South Carolina restaurants are open at 100% capacity since March, but it turns out that some customers actually prefer social distancing -- especially in restaurants.

Bobby Williams heads up the South Carolina Restaurant Association. He also runs the restaurant chain Lizards Thickets. He was excited to reopen last Friday but surprised by what his customers were saying.

“Then we were all taken aback Friday night, we got complaints. Saturday we got complaints. Sunday we got complaints,” Williams told Channel 9.

He estimates about 40%-50% of his customers prefer the limited capacity option.

Some restaurants told Channel 9 they stayed with the reduced occupancy limits because they have not been able to bring all of their employees back and are having difficulty filling positions.

In North Carolina, restaurants have to follow stricter guidelines. Currently, under Phase 3, they can open at 50% capacity. The curfew on alcohol sales is still in effect, meaning last call is at 11 p.m.

SC governor: Restaurants can return to 100% capacity soon

Cox Media Group