Articles
Restaurant industry questions current draft for re-opening
The biggest challenges could be social distancing, collecting customer data
by: Jennifer Dowling, KOIN 6 News Staff
Posted: May 1, 2020 / 09:40 PM PDT / Updated: May 1, 2020 / 10:16 PM PDT
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon Health officials announced Friday that the state is now able to test around 15,000 people per week for the coronavirus, and they’re looking to increase that number as businesses start to reopen. The governor is also looking to finalize a set of guidelines for businesses and restaurants to reopen in the weeks ahead.
There is a lot of uncertainty around this. Restaurants said under the draft that’s been presented, the biggest challenges could come from social distancing and collecting customer data.
At Mother’s Bistro and Bar, employees have been serving up dinner Tuesday through Saturday for delivery or pickup. Although owner Lisa Schroeder said restaurants are eager to fully reopen, the drafted guidelines on how to do that could be challenging. Take for example, the recommendation to keep everyone six feet apart.
“We did have 102 employees before this all started, and we are down to about 6-7,” said Schroeder. “What will be easy for me might be to separate the tables 6 feet because we have so much space in our new location. That’s not going to be easy for a lot of other restaurants.”