Restaurants across the US are starting to reopen; however, guidelines vary from state to state.

Common rules include reductions in capacity, keeping tables six feet apart, limiting the number of people per group, and requiring people to wear masks or face coverings.

Georgia was one of the first states to allow restaurants to reopen. However, many owners chose not to reopen, because the reduced capacity rules made it nearly impossible to make money.

In Ohio, restaurants are allowed to open their outdoor dining spaces first with indoor following later. One owner installed shower curtains between tables to help maximize the number of people who could sit at once. Plexiglas was too expensive and difficult to install.

Choosing to reopen comes with its own risks. Diners must not hug the staff, and the staff need to make sure that diners are washing their hands.

Difficult words: guideline (a general rule or piece of advice), reduction in capacity (lower the number of people or things), maximize (to make something as big as possible), Plexiglas (a solid, thick transparent plastic that looks like glass).