Mask Ordinance Impact On Restaurant Industry

Mask Ordinance Impact On Restaurant Industry

Meaning a very high risk.

Happening now -- madison county is under a mandatory mask ordinance tonight.

That order took effect a little more than an hour ago at 5 o'clock.

You now need to wear face coverings in businesses or venues that are open to the public - on public transportation - and in outdoor areas where social distancing can't be maintained.

We wanted to know how some businesses are dealing with the new order.

In huntsville - local restaurants told waay 31's ashley carter they've already prepared for the new order and are ready to enforce it.

"hours before the masking order officially went into effect i already saw customers arriving to drake's with their mask on.

It's why the general manager believes they won't have any trouble enforcing this order at their restaurant."

Nicole wertz, drake's general manager: "we knew that it would be coming up soon."

Nicole wertz is the general manager of drake's - a restaurant in southwest huntsville.

She says she wasn't surprised when the state approved madison county's mandatory masking order on monday.

She told me when they re-opened in may - they added a a hostess position to the staff to take temperatures at the door.

Now - the hostess will also make sure people come in with a mask on.

Wertz told me she doesn't believe enforcing the policy will be an issue.

Nicole wertz, drake's general manager "i don't think that our guest, our client base is going to have an issue with it, and i really don't think that that one little extra step is really going to be that changing to the situation."

But she says there is still some concern that the mandatory policy could slow business down...or that they could be shut down again because of the rise in coronavirus cases.

Nicole wertz, drake's general manager "i think it's such an uncertain time right now that anything can happen even reverting back to shutting down.

I mean we're prepared and understanding if that's what we have to do."

Wertz said she hopes the new masking order will slow down cases so they can stay open...and believes following this order is just one way people can continue to do their part to keep the economy open and people safe nicole wertz, drake's general manager "everyone needs to do their part and make this as safe as they possibly can."

Llalready shot "wertz said they're also considering having masks at the hostess table on stand by for customers who may have forgotten one.

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