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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2020)
6A | WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS Stores must post clear signs listing COVID symp- toms, encouraging physical distancing, and asking cus- tomers with symptoms to stay home. “Frequently clean and sanitize work areas, high-traffic areas and com- monly touched surfaces in both customer/public and employee areas of the store,” OHA wrote. “Wipe down changing room doorknobs, walls and seating between each customer use.” Finally, all employees are required to wear cloth, pa- per or disposable face cov- erings, with no exceptions being listed. Businesses must provide those cover- ings for employees. However, customers — although encouraged — are not required to wear masks. “Strongly encourage all customers to wear cloth, paper or disposable face coverings,” OHA said. “If a store sets a policy that all customers are required to wear cloth, paper or dispos- able face coverings, store management should con- sult with their legal counsel to determine whether such a requirement can be en- forced.” The state has not re- quired citizens to wear masks, though it strongly suggests people do so, par- ticularly in enclosed set- tings or while indoors. In- stead, the state has put the onus on businesses to de- cide on whether to require customers to wear a mask —putting businesses in a difficult position. While on one hand there’s the safety of their clients and employ- ees, the majority of hand- made masks don’t protect the person wearing them from contracting the virus. Instead, they help prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. Because of that, current mandates protect customers, but not employ- ees. However, it’s not always easy for businesses to re- quire or even request face masks be worn. Nationally, businesses and states have faced boycotts, social me- dia harassment, with peo- ple threatening physical violence against employees — including, in one case, the fatal shooting of a secu- rity guard who had asked a customer to wear a mask. Without clear guidance from the state, a business can be faced with a decision of either potentially endan- gering the health of its em- ployees or the health of its bottom line. There are other sugges- tions that OHA makes that retail stores should follow “to the extent possible,” but are not required. These in- clude encouraging one-way flow with marked entranc- es and exits, placing clear unclear exactly how much risk is involved when eating in a restaurant. Buffets, salad bars and soda refill stations are banned, as are karaoke machines, pool tables and bowling. However, video lottery terminals will be allowed if users can be six investigation,” OHA wrote. “Unless otherwise required, this information may be de- stroyed after 60 days from the appointment.” Employers must im- mediately send home any employee with COVID-19 like symptoms until 72 hours after symptoms have “Let me be clear, these choices are not easy ...We’re not in the clear, in the country or in our state. COVID infections could spike quickly, if we aren’t careful — all of us.” — Oregon Governor Kate Brown barriers in front of cashiers and prohibiting customers from trying on items that are worn on the face, such as cloth masks, scarves, headbands and eyewear. What will a restaurant or bar look like? The most notable change in restaurants will be how they are set up. “Ensure tables are spaced at least six feet apart so that at least six feet between parties is maintained, in- cluding when customers approach or leave tables,” OHA requirements stated. Bar seating that fac- es an employee, such as a bartender, are prohibit- ed, though tables facing a window or wall are accept- able if a six-feet distance is maintained. It’s up to businesses to determine seating config- urations, but they are al- lowed to remove seating or blocking off every other booth. Only parties of 10 or less will be accepted, though they do not have to be six feet apart when sitting. As for employees, “me- ticulous hand hygiene” is a must, and employees must wear gloves when cleaning and sanitizing. All employ- ees must wear face cover- ings, even if they work pri- marily in the kitchen area. However, customers are not required to wear masks while seated at their ta- ble. Obviously, eating with a mask is not viable, but some recent studies have shown that diners without a mask may be particular- ly vulnerable to catching the virus while sitting in a restaurant. Airflow from air conditioning units or open- ing doors spread the virus around the enclosed area, which in turn spreads to diners sitting for an extend- ed period of time. However, the science surrounding the spread of COVID-19 is still evolving, and it remains feet apart and the machines are cleaned after use. Finally, restaurants and bars must “End all on-site consumption of foods and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, by 10 p.m.,” the OHA wrote. The stated justification for the rule is that as the night wears on and when alcohol gets involved, in- hibitions are loosened and social distancing guidelines could be ignored or harder to enforce as a result. There are a host of non-required requests by OHA, including assigning a designated greeter or host to manage customer flow. Reservations are encour- aged, and it is suggested businesses should “assign employees to monitor cus- tomer access to common areas, such as restrooms, to ensure that customers do not congregate.” What will personal ser- vices look like? Customers are required to make an appointment, which includes a prescreen- ing for COVID. “Contact client prior to appointment and ask, ‘Have you had a cough? Have you had a fever? Have you had shortness of breath? Have you been in close contact with anyone with these symptoms or anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days?’” requires the OHA. If the answer is “yes” to any of the above, the ap- pointment needs to be re- scheduled. If the answer is “no,” the business should review in- formation on how COVID is spread, then gather the client’s contact information for any possible investiga- tion. “If there is a positive COVID-19 case associated with the business, public health may need the busi- ness to provide this infor- mation for a contact tracing cleared. When a client arrives, they must “wait in their car or outside to be contacted when the provider is ready for the appointments,” wrote the OHA. When the client does enter, all magazines, service menus, snacks and beverages must have been removed. Temperature checks for arriving clients is highly suggested, but not required. Social distancing will still be enforced, except for pro- vider-to-client contact. In addition, only one provider is allowed to work with a client during the appoint- ment. Providers must also be wearing face coverings while working with clients, while clients have to wear a clean cape, if applicable, for the appointment. Providers are allowed to use dispos- able capes. Finally, there are sever- al cleaning requirements. While many reflect stan- dard practices, there are new requirements, includ- ing requiring clients to wash their hands before services begin. Employees must also wash their hands after “using the telephone, computer, cash register and/or credit card machine, and wipe these surfaces be- tween each use.” Of the three types of businesses reviewed, per- sonal services has the lon- gest list of requirements and suggestions. Will all businesses be able to reopen with the restric- tions? Multiple businesses have remained open during the shutdown while adher- ing to the majority of re- quirements listed by OHA, DAILY SERVING: Pizza Calzones Clam Chowder though some have been lax, particularly when it comes to employees wear- ing masks. However, it is hoped that the majority of businesses will be able to reopen in some capacity. But the requirements will cause some to remain closed, particularly small businesses. Because restaurants have to remove tables for social distancing, they could see a dramatic decrease in cus- tomers they can serve in one day, with some small restaurants forced to reduce to just a few tables. The 10 p.m. curfews on dine-in service could also reduce clientele for late- night bars and diners, lead- ing to low overall sales. See RULES page 7A FAMILY STYLE SPECIALTIES: Wednesday- Prime Rib Thursday- Lasagna Friday- Spaghetti & Meatballs 9 201 Take Out Only 1285 Bay Street, Old Town Florence (541) 902-8338 VOTED F BEST O E REOPEN from page 1A F LO E N C R www.1285Restobar.com e here es ar usiness b y it n ommu s. these c service need g in w o r n u k o , y x la of y to re with all It’s eas to help Call the Siuslaw News to Join Our Senior Directory 541-997-3441 Shorewood Senior Living 1451 Spruce St. 541-997-8202 375 9th St, Florence, OR 97439 • (541) 997-6111 T HE F OLLOWING B USINESSES ARE OPEN TO S ERVE Y OU. They are open in a variety of ways… delivery, pick-up, curbside, drive-thru, in-store shopping with social distancing, appointments, and more. To be included in this list for $ 49 a month, Call 541-997-3441. Abby’s Legendary Pizza, 1374 Highway 101 • 541-997-2229 ............................................................................................................................Open daily 11 am – 9 pm. Off ering delivery and curb-side takeout. ................................................................................................................ Online ordering is easy at https://abbys.com/order. Florence Janitorial Services , 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. .......................................................................................................................................................................541-997-2385 Jerry’s Place Bar and Grill, 88274 Rhododendron Drive • 541-997-3815 .............................................................................................................Open Daily 11am-7pm Call ahead and we will have it ready. Most orders are taking approximately 15 minutes. Growlers and 6 packs are also available. Neil’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. ........................................................................................................................................................541-997-3825 Novelli’s Crab & Seafood, Boat Slip A13, Bay Street and Nopal Street • 541-639-7689 ..........................................................................Open every day 11 am – 5 pm. Curbside Service or Delivery Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant, 2825 Hwy 101 • 541-997-1144 .................................................................Open Monday-Saturday 10:30am-9:00pm for take out orders. Call us for available menu items and place your order, we will deliver to your car. Siuslaw Glass & Mirror, 1780 Kingwood • 541-997-8526 .......................................................................................................Open Monday – Friday , 8:30am-4:30pm. TR Hunter Real Estate 1749 Hwy 101 • 541-997-1200 .........................................................................................Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday. We’re taking extra precautions to insure the safety of our clients and walk-ins. And if you choose, we have online resources in place that will allow you to conduct your real estate transaction from the safety of your home. West Coast Real Estate Services, 1870 Highway 126 • 541-997-7653, www.jimhoberg.com ................................................................Open 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily. During these uncertain times, we are accessible by phone, website, email and by appointment. We are conducting business as safely as possible for our clients as well as our staff .
