A pretty ringing endorsement for a return to normalcy : Knoxville businesses hopeful after CDC relaxes mask guidance
New CDC guidelines allow those that are fully vaccinated to go mask-less indoors and outdoors in most settings. Author: Malik Jackson Updated: 11:28 PM EDT May 13, 2021
KNOXVILLE, Tenn The Centers for Disease Control on Thursday said anyone who is fully vaccinated no longer needs to wear a mask indoors or outdoors in most situations now.
“Since the CDC is now saying that people are allowed to resume their pre-pandemic activities if they ve been vaccinated, that s a pretty ringing endorsement for a return to normalcy, said Brian Strutz, owner of A Dopo Pizzeria in Knoxville.
Businesses have always implemented their own customer rules: No shirt, no shoes, no service.
Some restaurant owners who still want to require masks are preparing for their first weekend without a local government mask mandate.
As public sentiment regarding face coverings shifts, some owners are anticipating challenges that could arise when their expectations don t align with those of the customer. We want to take care of the people who support us and have played by the rules and appreciate our stance on it, OliBea owner Jeffrey DeAlejandro told Knox News. At the same time, we want to get more people to come to us.