The United States is starting to reopen again amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic [1]. Almost every state closed businesses to the public to lower the risk of spreading the virus, and over the past few weeks, some states have been slowly reopening certain things. Though many restaurants across the country have been limited to curbside takeout and delivery, dining rooms are opening their doors to the public in some areas — as long as they're following proper social distancing [2]. Most restaurants are operating at a reduced capacity to allow safety for customers and employees, and they're all required to maintain pristine levels of sanitation. For more info on when restaurants are reopening in every state, keep reading.
Alabama
As of May 11, restaurants in Alabama were allowed to reopen with restrictions in place [4], including no parties larger than eight people in a restaurant and proper social distancing. All employees will also be wearing masks and self-service stations, like drinks and buffets, are prohibited.
Alaska
Alaska's restaurants reopened on April 24 with a greatly reduced capacity and restrictions to maintain social distancing.
Arizona
Restaurants reopened for dine-in on May 11 and are to follow proper social distancing and encourage takeout services.
Arkansas
On May 11, Arkansas restaurants reopened at 1/3 capacity and to parties no larger than 10. Everyone also must maintain proper social distancing within the facility.
California
California's most recent stay-at-home order, which was issued My 19, has no end date, however, the state is reopening places in phases. Restaurant dining rooms are not yet open to the public again, but in places where there is little risk of COVID-19, restaurants may be able to open back up soon with a reduced capacity.
Colorado
Colorado's safer-at-home order is in place until May 27, and the state plans to reevaluate the safety of restaurant dining rooms on May 25.
Connecticut
Connecticut's shutdown of businesses lifts May 20, at which time, restaurants that are outdoors only are able to resume business. There's no firm decision yet on when dining rooms may reopen.
Delaware
Delaware is under a stay-at-home order through the end of May. Ice cream shops and trucks were allowed to resume business on May 15 but with proper social distancing.
District of Columbia
Washington DC is still under a stay-at-home order, so it's not clear when restaurant dining rooms will be opening.
Florida
Florida restaurants were able to open indoor and outdoor seating starting May 4, as long as proper social distancing is followed. Patrons are encouraged to use outdoor seating, and restaurants are running at a reduced capacity.
Georgia
Georgia restaurants reopened on April 27 at a reduced capacity. Employees are also being screened for COVID-19 and the facilities must keep social distancing a priority.
Hawaii
Hawaii's restaurant dining room's are still shut down but are aiming to reopen at a reduced capacity and with restrictions in the beginning of June.
Idaho
Idaho's restaurants were allowed to reopen during phase two of the state's extensive plan [5], however, each restaurant is required to draw up a plan to be approved by the department of health first. Then the restaurants must follow strict protocol for cleanliness and social distancing.
Illinois
Illinois is opening in phases, and restaurant dining rooms are much later in the plan. Though there's no firm date in place yet, it looks like it will be mid to late June at the earliest.
Indiana
Indiana restaurants were allowed to reopen on May 11 at half capacity and with proper social distancing.
Iowa
Many counties in Iowa were allowed to reopen restaurants on May 1. These low-risk areas have opened up at reduced capacity with proper social distancing, and the state has been allowing rolling openings since then.
Kansas
On May 4, restaurants were allowed to reopen in Kansas with proper sanitation and social distancing.
Kentucky
Starting May 22, restaurants were able to reopen at 1/3 capacity and encouraged to use outdoor space.
Louisiana
Starting May 15, Louisiana's restaurants were allowed to open their outdoor spaces to customers but would not be staffing them. Patrons are encouraged to properly social distance while using these spaces.
Maine
Maine's stay-at-home order is in effect through the end of May, at which time the state will reevaluate what businesses can start reopening. At this time, there's no date for when restaurant dining rooms will open.
Maryland
Maryland issued a new stay-at-home order on May 15 that included restaurants remaining closed. The state is reopening in phases, but indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants is still not allowed. There's no date in place yet for when it will be.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is reopening businesses in phases, and restaurants fall in phase two. It's unclear when phase two will start, but it doesn't look like it's anytime soon.
Michigan
The state's stay-at-home order is in place through May 28, though some areas of the state have been allowed to reopen restaurants at a reduced capacity already.
Minnesota
Minnesota restaurants are still closed for dine-in but are set to reopen on June 1 with enforced social distancing. No more than 50 patrons may be seated at a time, tables must be at least six feet apart, and parties are limited to four people (or six if everyone's in the same family).
Mississippi
Mississippi restaurants reopened on May 4 with half capacity. Restaurant employees are also required to wear face masks.
Missouri
Missouri allowed businesses to reopen on May 4 as long as proper social distancing is maintained at all times.
Montana
Restaurants in Montana reopened at reduced capacity on May 4. They will be allowed to up the capacity to 75 percent starting June 1.
Nebraska
Restaurants in Nebraska are open for business but are operating at 50 percent capacity indoors.
Nevada
Nevada restaurants reopened on May 9 with reduced capacity. Patrons waiting for tables are not allowed to gather in restaurant entryways and must instead wait outside.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire restaurants opened outdoor seating areas on May 18 with proper social distancing. The state is still under a stay-at-home order through the end of May, at which time it will reevaluate when more businesses can open.
New Jersey
New Jersey's stay-at-home order has no end date. There's no word on when restaurants might reopen, but it will most likely not be before June.
New Mexico
New Mexico's stay-at-home order is in effect through the end of May. At that time, the state will reevaluate if restaurants may begin opening, but until then, dining rooms are closed.
New York
New York has an extremely extensive plan in place to begin reopening businesses. The state is opening in regions and in phases [6] and is changing day by day. Check Gov. Andrew Cuomo's website for more detailed information on your area.
North Carolina
North Carolina's restaurants are part of the second phase of reopening, and though there's no specific date for the second phase, it could be by the end of May.
North Dakota
North Dakota restaurants opened on May 1 with reduced capacity and proper social distancing.
Ohio
Ohio allowed restaurants to open outdoor dining on May 15, and dining rooms are allowed to open on May 21 with reduced capacity and social distancing.
Oklahoma
On April 24, Oklahoma restaurants opened back up with reduced capacity and social distancing.
Oregon
Oregon is opening county by county, and each county must obtain approval from the state before opening any businesses. As of May 14, 26 counties had been approved to reopen restaurants on May 15.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is following a multistep plan for reopening [7], based on risk and COVID-19 cases. Businesses are opening on a rolling basis while following strict guidelines. Some counties have reopened restaurants already, and you can keep up to date with where your county falls on Gov. Tom Wolf's website [8].
Rhode Island
On May 9, Rhode Island moved into the first phase of its reopening plan. Though restaurant dining rooms are not included, there was potential for outdoor seating areas to be open again toward the end of the first phase. There's no word yet on when the next phase will take place and if dining rooms might be included.
South Carolina
South Carolina restaurants opened with reduced capacity and social distancing on May 11.
South Dakota
South Dakota actually never shut down in the first place, so businesses are mostly operating as normal.
Tennessee
Most restaurants have been allowed to reopen in Tennessee under strict guidelines of sanitation and social distancing. Some counties have not yet allowed reopening yet, though, and will be reevaluated with the current stay-at-home order expires at the end of May.
Texas
Texas restaurants opened May 1 at 25 percent capacity. On May 22, they will be allowed to increase to 50 percent capacity as long as proper sanitation is still maintained.
Utah
Utah opened restaurants May 1 at reduced capacity and facilities were urged to use caution and proper social distancing.
Vermont
Vermont's stay-at-home order expired on May 15 but restaurants remain closed. It's unclear when they will begin to reopen.
Virginia
Virginia is under a stay-at-home order until June 10, and restaurant dining rooms will remain closed until at least then.
Washington
Washington is opening by region and in phases. Some areas have been allowed to reopen restaurant dining rooms already and many will be allowed to soon. For the latest on each area, check Gov. Jay Inslee's website [9].
West Virginia
Restaurants in West Virginia are allowed to reopen on May 21 with proper sanitation and social distancing.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's stay-at-home plan [10] was shot down by the state Supreme Court on May 13, so businesses were allowed to begin resuming welcoming patrons again.
Wyoming
Wyoming restaurants were allowed to reopen on May 15 with proper sanitation and social distancing.