Despite a recent spike in COVID-19 activity in Iowa, 77 counties, including Union County, will allow restaurants and other places of business to reopen with restrictions Friday.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation Monday that loosened social distancing measures.
Restaurants will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity, limiting tables to no larger than six diners, keeping six feet between each group seated, not having self-service or buffets and ensuring social distancing of employees and customers.
President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association Jessica Dunker said those are five mandates but there are other “best practices” restaurants can follow to ensure safety.
“Doing everything from recommending eliminating bar seating totally, which we are also recommending,” Dunker said. “... One of the things we have to remain cautious about is that restaurants remain restaurants because bars are not able to open. You don’t want the restaurant to substitute for a bar. That’s not a mandate but that is a best practice recommendation.”
The Creston Family Restaurant opted out of participating in carry-out orders but has been keeping up with proper guidelines. It reopens Friday and will have temporary hours — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
General manager Kathi O’Neill said the Creston Family Restaurant will hold around “50-60” customers to follow the 50% capacity limit and has moved tables to keep with six-foot social distancing requirements.
A&G Steakhouse Lounge will be one of the Creston restaurants not scheduled to reopen Friday. Carry-out hours will continue and carry-out drinks will remain the same.
“We honestly have gone back and forth on this decision,” an A&G Steakhouse and Lounge representative said in a Facebook post. “To be honest, we also wondered how our other local businesses felt about the decision Governor Reynolds had made. At the end of the day, our family, friends, employees and customers are important to us and we believe it’s just too soon, Iowa.”