The capital city is considering allowing restaurants to open for business with dining moving onto the street.

Dining in restaurants has been on pause since March, and will be given the go-ahead to open up at half capacity when the province moves to alert level 3.

Mayor Danny Breen says outdoor dining is one way in which the city is considering the needs of business operators while abiding by public health measures.

He says it may help relieve some of the strain caused by the prolonged closure. Breen says they want to give restaurants every opportunity to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

Breen says the city is receiving feedback from local representative groups, the fire department, and businesses on how it can be done in a manageable and safe manner.