Manassas, VA – May 21, 2020 – As Northern Virginia waits to move into Phase 1 of reopening, Manassas has made it easier for retailers and restaurants to safely comply with the social distancing requirement. The reopening requirements impose restrictions on a businesses’ capacity by limiting the number of people who can occupy a space and requiring separation between customers and tables. In Phase 1 restaurants can only accommodate 50% of their normal customers and must serve them outside. Because most restaurants have limited (or no) outdoor seating, City Council has amended an Ordinance governing the use of public streets and sidewalks and the City’s Department of Community Development has taken administrative action to make it easier for businesses to operate in the common areas on private property. The two actions collectively will allow restaurants, and retailers if they wish, to establish outdoor dining and service areas for their customers. The City will begin working immediately with restaurants in the Historic Downtown on potential street closures and expanding sidewalk dining as well as opening up publicly owned property for table seating.