The promised new directive issued by the Shelby County Health Department has placed further restrictions on restaurants, and some restaurateurs are relieved as they expected worse.

Health Directive 15 goes in effect Monday, Nov. 23. Here are the changes as they apply to restaurants:

Closing time returns to 10 p.m.; hours were extended to midnight on Oct. 7.

Maximum table occupancy is six if there are children and four if adults only; occupancy was briefly increased to eight, also on Oct. 7.

All diners must now wear a mask except when eating a bite of food or a drink. Previously they were required to be masked except when at the table.

“That’s better than what I thought would happen,” said Mike Nash, owner of Tavern 018 in Cordova. “That obviously cuts my business back considerably, but it’s better than being shut down completely.”

The earlier closing time won’t have much of an impact on restaurants that primarily serve meals.

“We close at 9 p.m. during the week and at 10 p.m. on weekends anyway,” said Wally Joe, chef/owner of Acre in East Memphis.

The table size restriction is another matter.

“That could sting a little bit,” he said. “We have tables of eight pretty frequently and expected more with the holidays. We’ve already lost our big parties for the year.”

Nick Scott, who owns Alchemy in Cooper-Young, said the closing time isn’t good for his business.

“We need those extra two hours,” he said. “We’re not like Tsunami, Acre, places like that. People want to come in here a little later.”

As far as the new mask restriction, he said he’s not really sure what to do.

“We could serve straws with all drinks, though I don’t know who really wants to drink a beer through a straw,” he said. “I’m at a loss when it comes to eating. I guess we’ll just have to figure it out.”

Ernie Mellor, president of the Memphis Restaurant Association, said he’s confused by the new mask rule.

“I feel like that is totally off the wall, and I don’t think it’s possible for us to enforce,” Mellor said. “The other things are reasonable, but they’re bad for our industry.”

The directive was promised Thursday, and Dr. Bruce Randolph, the Health Department’s medical officer, suggested the changes would not be as harsh as they were spring and summer.

“The enforcement will be strict,” said Dr. Jeff Warren, a member of the Memphis-Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force.

“Instead of closing a whole industry, they are going to be looking for people who blatantly are not following the rules. Those people will be shut down. The ones that not enforcing masking and social distancing.”

Thursday, Randolph said there were reports of businesses closing at the proper time but telling customers they would be reopening later in night. Those business owners will now face misdemeanor charges if caught.

“Obviously, masks are a major benefit to keeping the virus at bay,” Warren said. “But even more important is keeping our distance and not mingling. Socializing has to be thoughtful, meaning people who have been tested and are being careful with their practices, masking, distancing and hand-washing.”

Warren says people need to take advantage of testing capacity in the county before they engage in holiday gatherings.

“Otherwise, they are going to kill their loved ones.”

Also in the directive:

Schools are strongly encouraged to suspend all school-related close-contact sports at this time.

Gyms will remain open at this time. All employees and patrons are required to wear masks or facial coverings at all times while in the facility, except when in the swimming pool or shower.

Shelby County government expects to be able to provide financial support of at least $5,000 for any business that faces closures of at least 30 days substantially related to Health Directive No. 15. More details will be coming.

“Essentially, if we don’t follow this particular health directive explicitly and rigorously, we are looking at the future shutdown of businesses and social activities,” Warren said.