Suspension Lifted On Indoor Dining In Pittsfield

Looks like we won't have to wait any longer. For people who work in the food industry, this has to also be a sigh of relief right before Christmas.

Restaurants in the city of Pittsfield can resume indoor dining as of today. The Pittsfield Board of Health voted unanimously Wednesday night to rescind its November 12th order which suspended indoor dining following a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The move comes after pressure from a coalition of restaurants in the city led by Craig Benoit who owns the Hot Dog Ranch on West Housatonic Street. Benoit started a petition and garnered the support of 28 or so restaurant owners in the city before bringing it to Pittsfield City Hall on Monday. He told the Berkshire News Network that he intended to hand it to Mayor Linda Tyer. She however was not available to meet with him at that time.

The Board of Health, after rescinding the original order, put a new one in place. Per the new order, restaurants in the city will have to limit tables to six people and collect contact information from each reservation that is made in case contact tracing becomes necessary. The restaurant owners will also be meeting with Mayor Tyer every two weeks.

Benoit told the Berkshire News work Wednesday night that he is glad to get his employees back to work and happy for the other restaurant owners in the city. He did also say that he is taking the coronavirus issue seriously and will do everything necessary to keep his employees and his customers safe.

Benoit further said that he understands that not everyone feels comfortable in regard to dining indoors at restaurants right now and suggested that those people can simply stay home.

If You do go out to a local eatery, make sure you follow safety rules. It will help everyone in the long run.