Jacksonville Mayor announces relaxed regulations for outdoor dining

Jacksonville, FL — Giving more opportunities for businesses to serve customers, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says the City of Jacksonville will stop enforcing the zoning code next week related to outdoor restaurants and retailers which will allow them to provide more space to serve customers while still maintaining social distancing.

“The idea is to find a safe way to, uh, allow there to be tables, sidewalks, parts of parking lots, etcetera, so restaurants can serve, and retailers can serve, more of their customers in a safe way.” Curry says.

He says the easing of zoning restrictions will be in place until other regulations restaurants and retailers are facing are gone.

Curry says the details are being hammered out, and the city will have more to announce next week.

During his update Thursday, Curry also announced changes with coronvirus testing in Jacksonville. He says beginning Friday a new drive-thru testing site will open up at the WalMart on Lem Turner Road. Curry says the appointment based site will be available for first responders and anyone showing symptoms. You can schedule an appointment at http://MyQuestCOVIDtest.com. Curry also announced that the walk-up testing site at Kooker Park will be moving to the Legends Center on Soutel Drive near Moncrief Road on Saturday.

“This move will put the testing in an indoor location that will not be weather dependent.” Curry says.

He says the site will continue to have a 200 testing limit an will be free for anyone who needs it.

Curry says he expects  to have anti-body testing at Lot J outside the stadium soon.