In an effort to save struggling shops and restaurants in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a parking garage will be turned into an outdoor venue.
Gov. Chris Sununu released new guidance Thursday for the last round of business reopenings in New Hampshire which include amusement parks, movie theaters, performing arts venues, arts and music education and adult day care.
Beginning June 29, those sectors will be allowed to resume operations under specific guidelines provided by the Governor's Economic Reopening Taskforce.
Amusement parks will be allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 25% and guests will be required to pre-register or pre-purchase tickets for admission. Physical barriers like Plexiglas shields should be placed between staff and guests and separate entrances and exits should be utilized to promote physical distancing, according to the guidelines.
Admissions to movie theaters will be limited to 50% capacity or to the number of people where at least 6 feet of physical distancing can be maintained. Under the state's guidance, theater showings should be staggered to avoid people waiting in line and enough time should be scheduled between shows to allow for customers to exit without congregating in hallways or at exits. Customers are urged to buy their tickets prior to arrival.
Performing arts venues will also be limited to 50% capacity or to the number of people where at least 6 feet of physical distancing is able to be consistently maintained. Venues must seat customers so that ones that are not part of the same household group are seated at least 6 feet apart from others.
Each performance must also be monitored by attendants for physical distancing. Under the guidance, food and beverages should only be served upon entry to the facility and intermissions should be avoided.
Art and music education centers will be required to follow the same guidelines as performing arts but online/virtual learning should be continued if possible. Maximum class size must be limited to 50% capacity but state guidance recommends individual one-on-one education classes. Classes involving singing or wind instruments should continue remote learning or find an outdoor space.
Under the state's guidelines, adult day cares will be restricted to visitors and non-essential staff. The number of clients will be reduced to 50% capacity. Clients and staff must be separated into groups of no more than 10, they must maintain 6 feet distance and the facility must keep the same group together.
The state's stay-at-home advisory expired Monday, allowing a number of other businesses to open or expand under strengthened guidance and capacity limitations. Businesses now allowed to operate include gyms, bowling alleys, tourist train, racetracks, charitable gaming facilities, museums and libraries.
More on the Coronavirus in New Hampshire
The state, which is now under a "safer at home" advisory, has no social gathering limitations or distinctions between essential and nonessential businesses. Under the new advisory, people are still encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks in public.
As of Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services reported 331 deaths related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. There were 17 new positive cases of the virus for a total of 5,450.
