JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis described the first phase of reopening the state as a deliberate, methodical process.
During the coronavirus pandemic, most restaurants transitioned to take-out, curbside or delivery services to pay their bills.
But starting tomorrow, many of them will reopen for the first time in over a month.
Nathan Stuart, the owner of Beach Road Fish House and Chicken Dinners said he plans to reopen Monday, but it will likely be a while before his restaurant can return to normal operations.
“From cleaning the surfaces to the bathrooms, we’re just going to have to go that extra mile,” Stuart said.
Stuart is the owner of this restaurant and two others across the city of Jacksonville.
He worries for the future of his business.“My biggest fear is if this thing comes in for a round two. I think it’s going to be far worse than round one, in terms of the economy.”
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Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ first phase to reopen the state, restaurants can offer outdoor seating with a six-foot space between tables and indoor seating will be allowed at 25 percent capacity.
“So, for the tables, that we wouldn’t be allowed to use inside. We are going to move them outside and adhere by the six-foot rule for outdoor areas. We are also going to let local musicians come, who have almost been affected by this more than we have, come in Monday, seven days a week,” Stuart said.
He says his employees will be required to wear gloves and there will be hand sanitizer stations placed at different areas inside.
2. As we lift restrictions on beaches, parks & businesses, I am grateful for the personal responsibility of the people of our city. We are all making sacrifices to keep each other safe. We move into this phase as 1 City & exercise our freedoms while looking out for each other
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) May 4, 2020
But with dine-in seating at 25 percent capacity, Stuart says for some businesses, it’s not worth reopening.
“Throughout the last thirty years, I got to meet a lot of the great restaurant owners in Jacksonville. I want to say at least half of them decided not to stay open through this, and at least half of them are deciding not to reopen tomorrow because at twenty-five percent, it just doesn’t make sense financially.”
Retail stores will also reopen tomorrow at 25 percent capacity.
Hospitals and other medical professionals will also begin elective surgeries starting Monday morning.
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