Restaurants: Shutting down again would devastate our industry
Share
Updated: 7:18 PM EDT Aug 3, 2021
Share
Updated: 7:18 PM EDT Aug 3, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript
HAPPEN AGAIN. >> OKEECHOBEE STEAK HOUSE, WERE GIN VETHE STAFF THE OPTION TO WEAR MASKS OR NOT. OBVIOUSLY, THE GUESTS AT THIS TIME, IT'S NOT MANDATORY. TO COME IN OUR BILLS. >> The Reporter: BUT DEALING WITH THE NEWUR SGE IN COVID CASES IS A BIG DEAL. NOT ONLY FOR OKEECHOBEE STEAKHOUSE OWNER, RALPH LEWIS, BUT FOR ALL RESTAURANT OWNS.ER >> THE PROBABILITY OF US GETTING SHUT DOWN AGAIN, THAT WOULD DEVASTATE THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. >>> LEWIS SAYS THERE'S DNGOI ALL THEY CAN TO STAY SAFE AND REASSURE CUSTOMERS, MOST OF WHOM SHEAYS DON'T WANT TO WEAR MAS MASKS. >> WE DEFOG AT NIGHT, SANITIZE, WE HAVE THE ULTRAVIOLENT LIGHT SYSTEMS IN OUR BUSINESS, SEAM AS THE HOSPITALS USE. >> The Reporter: MARTIN LUTHER KING DONALDSON JUST PUT A MANDATORY MASK POLICYN I PLACE FOR ALL STAFF AND CUSTOMERS. AND AT BOCRAA TON'S RESTAURANT AND ITS SISTER RESTAURAN,TS ALL 400 EMPLOYEES MUST MASK UP AGAIN TOO. >> MADE IT MANDATORY THATLL A OUR STAFF ISOI GNG TO BE WEARING YOU KNOW, WE REALLY WANDTE TO PROVIDE THAT SENSE OF SAFETY FOR OUR GUESTS. >> The Reporter: LEWIS SAYS HE HASN'T DONE THAT AT HIS TWO RESTAUNTRAS AND MEAT MARKET. THEY'RE CLOLYSE MONITORING C.D.C. AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE AND HE SS,AY RESTAURANTS ACROSS FLORIDA ARE DOING THE SAME. >> A LOT OF OUR STAFF HASH VACCINATED. WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THEM THAT'S BEEN VACCINATED. THEY'RE IN GOODEALTH. H WE HAVEN'TEEN S A PROBLEM. IT'S NOT SOMETNGHI THAT THEY CAME TO US AND SAID, LOOK, WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED, WE WANTO T WEAR THE MASK. >> The Reporter: BOTH MANAGERS AGREE, THEY'LL THANK WHATEVER STEPS NECESRYSA TO PREVENT ANOTRHE DEVASTATING SHUTDOWN. >> A LOT OF OUR STAFF, THIS IS WHAT THEY DO. AND YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO WORK AGAIN, IST' REALLY GOING TO HAVE SOME SERIOUS IMPACT ON, YOU KNOW, THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. >> TRY TO KEEP BUSINESSES ON,PE BUT THE MAIN THING IS, IS WE HAVE TO BE SAFE. ABOVE AND BEYDON EVETHRYING. >> The Reporter: AND THE RESTAURANT OWNERS TELL ME THEY'RE CONSTANTLY CHECKING IN WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS TO ASK THEM, DO TYHE FEEL SAFE AND SHOULD THE RESTAURANTS BE TAKING ANY MEOR PRECAUTIO