Parker has issued an emergency ordinance allowing restaurants and bars to temporarily expand their outdoor seating areas to serve more customers while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Town Administrator Michell Kivela issued the order May 21. It takes effect immediately.

“This has been an extremely difficult time for the restaurants in our community, so it's a priority for us to help facilitate a successful reopening,” Kivela said in a statement. “We believe that this effort will benefit our local restaurants and encourage residents to come out and support them, while also maintain a safe social distance.”

The order allows any business to extend its outdoor seating area onto the front and side areas of the property, public or private sidewalks and private parking lots, if it requests permission, according to the statement.

The order will remain in place as long as there are any state or local public health agency orders requiring a limited dine-in service, the statement says.

“The Town's goal is to proactively provide some measure of relief to our restaurants and bars by allowing additional occupancy and seating, as well as to prepare them for reopening in anticipation of the state issuing guidance for restaurants and bars,” the statement states.