How Masks affect Restaurants

Cody story at 5pm

So how does governor beshear's mask mandate impact businesses... particularly restaurants?

Abc 36's cody adams takes a look at that.

For many communities restuarants play a major role in the economy.

Ouita michel: we're the handshake of lexington.

Wecome in come on in let me pour you a bourbon.

Ouita michel is the owner of the ouita michel family of restaurants.

That includes honeywood at the summit.

She believes governor beshear's mask mandate is actually really helpful.

Ouita michel: there have been a few people at our restaurants that have had a problem wtih the mask and that's their perogative.

But they can't come into any of my restaurants.

That's my perogative.

And i'm so relieved because now i feel like governor beshear has taken that out of my hands and just said hey it's mandatory.

Michel says a mandate like this could actually be key to economy getting back up to speed in her eyes.

Ouita michel: our revenue right now is about 50 percent of where it was this time last year.

But we're making enough in sales to keep going in order for our economy to reopen we have to be able to navigate this transition back to normalcy and so it's just vital that we do this.

She's not alone.

Zach joseph is the director of administration for a cup of common wealth.

He says like many establishments they already had a mask policy.

For him... governor beshear's mandate only bolsters that.

Zach joseph: for us we didn't have any issues with anything being added on from that rule.

If anything i think it will normalize it a little more and make it easier on our end because people will already know if i'm going into a business i have to have my mask.

Ulitmately it comes down to the safety of not only customers but staff as well.

Zach joseph: based on what we understand of the science is really the person wearing the mask is helping protect other people aroudn that person so it's always nice for our staff to know that other people will be wearing mask so hopefully that will be more protective of our staff as well.

Ouita michel: i know if i can keep my staff healthy i can keep my guests healthy.

But if i cant keep my staff healthy i cant open because they're not comign abck to work.

That's a pragmatic issue.

But not only that, from a moral concern as an employer their health has to be my number one priority.

In studio cody adams abc 36 news.