Editorial: Efforts impressive as state moves toward May 20 reopening.

A little more than a week ago we called upon the governor and local officials to do all they reasonably could to expedite the plan to allow restaurants to partially reopen, with outdoor seating only, starting this coming Wednesday. Their efforts have proved to be impressive. For his part, Gov. Ned Lamont used his executive order authority to provide municipal zoning officials with substantial flexibility to let their restaurants create outdoor dining spaces. That order effectually supersedes many local zoning rules. Local officials will be able to approve outdoor seating plans and serve alcohol without the normal hearings and permitting processes.

This makes sense given the temporary nature of these special accommodations and the urgency to get restaurants back operating. As envisioned in our editorial, expect to see seating on sidewalks and parking lots, potentially extended even into closed roadways.

This won’t be embraced by all restaurant proprietors. Some establishments aren’t well suited or situated for such an operation, no matter how many accommodations are made. Others will conclude the amount of business they can expect — given restrictions of spacing and size — is not worth the effort or investment.

But the opportunity is there.

The industry has pushed to also allow some indoor dining, using social distancing rules. But the science backs the governor’s approach. A study of more than 300 outbreak clusters of COVID-19 in China revealed they were fueled by indoor transmission of the disease and outdoor transmission was rare.

Lamont has indicated he would entertain moving to indoor seating later in the summer season if the first phase does not lead to a spike in new infections.

Towns across the region, particularly those with substantial restaurant offerings, have stepped up to help the reopening process. In some communities there have been discussions of Public Works crews providing barriers, making sure dining spots set up along streets or in parking lots are safe from traffic. The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce is ready to lend tents to provide covering, though we note the goal must be to keep these dining areas as open-air as possible.

Using the leeway provided by the governor’s order, approval processes are being substantially expedited. Police, health district officials and zoning officers are coordinating to speed up approval, but to do so with an eye to safety.

In a few days, we’ll learn how well it comes together and what will be the public’s response.