Restaurants Prepare for Restricted Reopening

April 27, 2020, 5:10 p.m. ·

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Restaurants are preparing to reopen in parts of the state where social distancing restrictions will be relaxed next week. That includes new safety practices like masks and extra sanitizing.


John Wade is president of Restaurants Inc., which owns several Omaha area restaurants. He said staff training will be necessary for the new restaurant rules.

Shifts will include a staff member whose responsibility is sanitizing high touch surfaces. Wade said some restaurants will also move to single-use paper menus.

Wade said restaurants have gotten some government assistance, but will be happy to operate again, even at the 50% capacity limit set by the governor.

“Those individuals still have overhead and bills to pay," Wade said. "After not being able to be in business for six weeks or more, cash flow really becomes a challenge. So it may not be profitable, but you may just need the sales and the revenue coming in just to cover the bills by itself.”

Wade anticipates not all restaurants will choose to reopen on May 4, and that maintaining six feet between tables will be more challenging for smaller restaurants.