The city’s public health commissioner hopes restaurants can open again this weekend.
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Chicago tables remain empty, but some form of indoor dining may be just days away. Christos Intzempapzakis, the general manager of all three Meli Cafe locations, says it would be a lifeline.
“It would be a very welcome change,” said Intzempapzakis. “It would be something better from what we have so far.”
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As early as this weekend, officials say the city could get to level 1, allowing for limited indoor eating …
“We have to remain diligent, but I am optimistic that we will see indoor dining in restaurants soon,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
While restaurants get creative in the cold and snow to create outdoor seating, some said the reopening of partial indoor dining should have been long overdue for struggling establishments.
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“Even if they opened yesterday, it is still too late,” said Intzempapzakis. “Some people just hang out there.”
Sam Sanchez, the owner of Moe’s Cantina and Old Crow Smokehouse, likes the news and believes that all restaurants should be able to dine indoors with proper social distance.
“We hope there will be more than 25 people per restaurant,” said Sanchez. ‘We hope that curfew doesn’t end at 10 p.m. ‘
Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s health commissioner, said the number of COVID-19 cases has been steadily declining since January 8. She said she is very optimistic that food can now be eaten indoors every day.
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