Hussar
Legend
Around here, there was no option to not restrict seating - there were mandates about what percentage of normal capacity restaurants could run at.
But, even in the city itself, it was realized that having folks eat outside wasn't hard to do. Certainly out in the suburbs, there's a lot of space that could be used.
I can see that. A lot less of an option when you’re as densely populated as Japan. Most places have nowhere to eat outside. Heck, summertime is over 40 degrees here. Outdoor eating is just not a thing.