Broward will open banquet halls; weddings can have up to 100 — but with restrictions

Weddings and other special events of up to 100 people will start taking place in Broward County now that ballrooms, banquet halls and catering halls will be allowed to open from COVID-19 closures.

But if you plan on getting married at a ballroom anytime soon, the county has enacted a host of restrictions that could affect your dancing, your food and even your cake.

Starting next Friday, Oct. 2, ballrooms, banquet halls, catering halls can operate at 50% capacity with up to 100 people. According to the order, tables must be spaced at least 6 feet from one another. All guests must have preassigned tables and they are told about it in advance “to avoid the need for table cards.”

Food and drinks must be served by staff and no self-service buffets, family-style meals, or passed hors d’oeuvres are allowed. Guests may remove masks “for the shortest practicable period of time" so they can take a wedding photo, but must put the mask back on afterward.

The dance floor must stay closed except for special dances, such as the first dance or the father-daughter dance.

If the cake is displayed, it must be out of reach of guests. Any cake consumed at the event must be served to guests by staff or designated personnel, according to the order.

Broward County also eased up on some new coronavirus restrictions on Friday that impact restaurants, neighborhood pools, event halls and childcare facilities. In the emergency order, the county will:

Allow billiards to be played in restaurants.

Remove requirements that homeowner associations sanitize pool chairs at their community pools.

Allow restaurant bars to open, although no alcohol can be served.

Remove a requirement that children must be separated into groups of no more than 10 at child care facilities.

Allow live entertainment at restaurants.

Allow up to 10 people to play non-organized sports at parks and beaches.

Allow people “actively engaged in organized sports” to not have to wear masks.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

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