Milwaukee bars and restaurants can reopen at 25% capacity Friday, Mayor Barrett announces

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee bars and restaurants are allowed to open for indoor service beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

@MayorOfMKE says bars and restaurants can begin providing indoor service at 25% capacity beginning at 2:00 pm Friday afternoon. Encouraging COVD-19 data allows @cityofmilwaukee to move into phase three of its reopening plan.

— Mike Strehlow (@MikeStrehlow) June 4, 2020

Mayor Tom Barrett made the announcement during a county update on Thursday, June 4, as Milwaukee enters phase three of reopening. 

It still won’t be business as usual though; bars and restaurants can only open at 25 percent capacity. Officials are still asking people to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Restaurants can also utilize outdoor dining spaces and again maintain proper space.

Mayor Barrett added some words of caution.

"The bad news is, of course, the disease is out there. It is out there and unfortunately it remains very very strong. Cases are still appearing, hospitals still have not seen a major drop in COVID patients. 06;08 we are counting on business owners to make smart decisions. And we’ll be monitoring and responding to complaints appropriately," Mayor Barrett said.