COLORADO SPRINGS — COLORADO SPRINGS — It was five weeks ago when El Paso County moved to Level Red, which meant all restaurants had to close their indoor dining.
As of last Wednesday, the county announced moving down to Level Orange, which means restaurants can have a 25% capacity inside.
"It is going to be great just to see the dining room full of people again. Seeing it like this is heartbreaking for someone like me," says Owner Eric Brenner, owner and chef at Red Gravy.
Brenner shares how January tends to be a slow month for restaurants, so it is a big step in the right direction moving to Level Orange.
"To be shut down, that would have been very dismal. For us to serve people inside? That will be fantastic," said Brenner.
Opening indoor dining comes with extra precautions though.
"Even though we are opening our doors we will be twice as diligent and making sure everyone will be following the rules," said Brenner.
It's something all restaurants are having to think about before Monday.
"We are making sure everyone, including our guests, are wearing masks as they are walking around. We take temps as soon as we get here and wash our hands multiple times," said Jenni Najar, assistant GM at Colorado Craft.
When Najar heard word of restaurants in the county re-opening indoor dining, "I think it was just a mad dash to call staff and get everyone to come back."
Najar shares her hopes of what indoor dining will soon look like, "Just getting back to normal to 50% or 100% hopefully by the end of the summer!"
Last call for restaurants in El Paso County is 10pm.
Bars are still required to be closed.
For more information on Level Orange restrictions, click here.
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