Buncombe County board chair Brownie Newman speaks at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon Buncombe County will lower capacity limits for indoor dining and gatherings at the beginning of January, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the county at greater levels. On January 2nd, the capacity for indoor dining at restaurants will go to 30% from its current 50%, and the limit on indoor gatherings involving people from outside your household will drop from ten to two. Both are stricter than current state limits. County board chair Brownie Newman made the announcement in a Facebook Live broadcast Wednesday afternoon, saying the new regulations won't go into effect for ten days to allow businesses to plan for them. Outdoor dining capacity limits are not impacted by the new restrictions.