Citing a recent uptick in cases of the novel coronavirus in San Bernardino County, the city of Redlands late Monday, June 29, announced it will delay the start of a new outdoor dining program downtown.
The city had planned to begin closing off a portion of East State and Fifth streets Thursday, July 2, to accommodate restaurants who wished to serve patrons outdoors on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
In a news release Monday, the city said it would delay the program by at least two weeks. The decision was reached in consultation with restaurant partners, the city said.
When the program begins, the city will close East State Street between Orange Street and Sixth Street, and Fifth Street between Redlands Boulevard and Citrus Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening to allow restaurants to take over the streets for outdoor dining from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. All streets will reopen by 11 p.m., according to the city.
The Redlands City Council on June 16 approved the street closures and agreements with local restaurants as a way to allow participating establishments to safely reopen while promoting social distancing in line with state and county public health recommendations.
San Bernardino County has reported hundreds of new coronavirus cases each week, and on Sunday the governor recommended it and seven other counties shut down bars in response to a surge in cases.
