We’re back – with restrictions
State allows businesses to reopen
By Jerry W. Kram
Tuesday North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced the rules for bars, restaurants, salons, tattoo parlors and other businesses to open under social distancing guidelines required to mitigate infections during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Burgum announced that starting Friday, May 1, businesses that were closed pursuant to an executive order issued by the governor in March would be allowed to reopen. Tuesday’s announcement detailed the conditions several categories of businesses would have to follow in order to reopen.
The businesses covered by Burgum’s annoucement fall under three categories, food and bars including breweries, distilleries and food trucks; cosmetology including hair and nail salons, tanning salons, waxing studios and barbershops; and fitness centers, message therapists, tattoo and body piercing, and spas.
For restaurants and bars, the main limitation will be on capacity. Bars and restaurants will be limited to 50 percent of their normal operating capacity. Groups must be seated at least six feet away from other groups, although back-to-back booths are OK. Salad bars and other self serve options are limited to pre-packaged food. All drink refills will must be served in a clean, unused glass. Everything from menus to tabletops must be either sanitized of disposed of after use. The familiar bottles of ketchup and mustard have to be replaced with single-use packets.
