Police are starting to enforce the county's physical distancing rules for public spaces tonight, Friday August 28. People in lines outside of the Lot, Spider Kelly's, Don Tito, Whitlow's and Wilson Hardware must stay 6 feet from others and no more than 3 people per group. Arlington county has added traffic cones and pavement markings to encourage bar goers staying a safe distance from each other.
Since all restaurants are operating at 50% indoor capacity, long lines often form down the block outside as people wait to drink inside. These late night bar goers often don't voluntarily follow rules such as wearing a mask in public or staying away from others on the sidewalk. The Arlington County emergency ordinance is a response to this behavior that went into effect last week, but ACPD delayed enforcing it to give the public and venues a chance to find their feet meeting the new rules.
Most Clarendon restaurants are doing everything possible to meet CDC guidelines and keep their patrons safe. The Lot even dedicated two of their own staff to policing their line on 10th Street to make sure customers are staying away from each other.
Stay safe out there Clarendon!
