From Staff Reports

Effective immediately, restaurants in Buncombe County will be able to return to 50 percent of customer capacity, following the signing of an updated declaration of emergency by Brownie Newman, chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

The order states: “Based on data trends and Buncombe County health officials, this board finds it in the best interest of the citizens and residents of Buncombe County to align with the governor’s executive orders related to COVID-19 prohibitions and restrictions.”

The action supersedes a county order on Jan. 2 to cut Buncombe restaurant capacities from 50 percent to 30 percent, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“At least 20 restaurants closed temporarily during the reduced capacity period,” the Asheville Citizen Times noted on Jan. 28. “Dining in restaurants has been classified as a high-risk activity by the CDC, and some restaurants have temporarily closed since the pandemic began due to infections among staff.”

Asheville Independent Restaurants executive director Jane Anderson told the ACT, “This immediately allows restaurants to iincrease their revenue with the availability of seats for people who want to dine in.”