As part of efforts to mitigate that spread of COVID-19 in Virginia, there is currently a statewide six-foot distancing requirement in effect for food and beverage establishments.

Specifically:

Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, and farmers' markets may operate both indoor and outdoor dining areas, including bar seating, as long as all parties are separated with at least six feet between parties. (The six feet cannot include the space taken up by the seated guest.) If tables are not moveable, seat parties at least six feet apart, including at the bar and in the bar area. Spacing must also allow for physical distancing from areas outside of the facility’s control (i.e., provide physical distancing from persons on public sidewalks).

When will Virginia's 6-foot distancing requirement for food and beverage establishments be lifted?

This resolves on the date when guidance is posted by the Virginia state government stating that the 6-foot distancing requirement for food and beverage establishments has been lifted.

Any lifting of the 6-foot restriction for outdoor seating but not indoor seating would not count as a lifting of the 6-foot distancing requirement.

Any reduction of the distancing requirement (for example, from 6 feet to 3 feet) would count as a lifting of the 6-foot distancing requirement.