Businesses, churches begin to re-open

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
After six weeks of closure, restaurants and churches are transitioning to normal operations after two variances to the public health orders were approved by the state, said Lori Bickford, Weston County public health nurse. 
On March 13, Gov. Mark Gordon declared a state of emergency and public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted normal life across the globe.  
Public health officer Mike Jording said that the state declaration resulted in restrictions on the operation of nonessential businesses, including restaurants, gyms, theaters, bars, child care facilities, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools and salons. The restrictions, he said, were to protect the community and prevent the spread of the disease. 
As the so-called curve flattens so as to not overwhelm the health care system, and as long as Weston County stays COVID-19 free, these businesses will slowly go back to normal operation, Jording said. 
On Friday evening, after six weeks of only curbside pickup and delivery, restaurants in the county opened their doors and served customers on site. While the businesses are slowly returning to normal operations, Jording said,  several guidelines need to be followed to ensure the safety of the staff and public. 
According to the variances approved by the state, restaurants and bars may resume onsite consumption as long as tables are limited to groups of six or fewer people, preferably of the same household. Six feet of space between tables and people must also be maintained. 
“Staff should wear face coverings at all times and perform hand hygiene between interactions with each table,” the variance documents say. 
Strict sanitation guidelines were also put in place. 
Churches are also able to open their doors and allow more than 10 people on the premises if they follow similar sanitation guidelines and other rules outlined in the second variance. 
“A six-foot distance must be maintained between individual household groups at all times,” the variance says. 
It continues to say that the number of people in any confined area should be limited and that households should not come into close contact with anyone else. 
According to Jording, these variances to the public health orders implemented by the state are only the beginning, as long as Weston County can maintain good standing and avoid a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.