Washington’s phased, Safe Start plan is confusing. No doubt about that. The Governor recently announced another round of changes, some of which benefit breweries, both those who meet the food menu requirements and those that do not.
Side Note: I have talked to some brewery owners/operators recently and there is a lot of confusion around what is required in order to qualify for the food menu requirements. Unless you are absolutely certain you understand the latest adjustments to those requirements, it might behoove you to reach out to the Washington Brewers Guild for further clarification. It might be easier than you think and it might be easier than your local jurisdiction has yet to learn/understand. Watch the video linked below.
From the Washington Brewers Guild:
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Updates to Safe Start for Breweries Recap
Earlier this week, Governor Inslee announced changes to Safe Start that include some welcome updates for breweries. To recap, effective immediately:
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Updates for breweries that DO NOT meet the food menu requirements for indoor service:
- Max outdoor table party size increased to six in Phase 2 and eight in Phase 3
- Cut-off for alcohol service, delivery, and consumption moved to 11pm
Updates for breweries that DO meet the food menu requirements for indoor service:
- Same household requirement for indoor service no longer applies
- Max outdoor table party size increased to six in Phase 2 and eight in Phase 3
- Cut-off for alcohol service, delivery, and consumption moved to 11pm
There is also a minor modification to table spacing rules for both indoor and outdoor seating. Tables must be spaced 6 feet away from adjacent tables, or there must be a physical barrier or wall separating booths or tables. Prior guidance required tables to be spaced 6 feet apart from an occupied chair to occupied chair.
You can find the full updated guidance here.
For those of you looking for a refresher on the temporary minimum food menu requirements for indoor service, here’s the link.
We recently co-hosted a webinar featuring the Liquor & Cannabis Board, Department of Health, and Sysco, covering everything you need to know about meeting the food menu requirements for indoor service. You can view the recording, here.
