MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — An extended ‘Safer-at-Home’ order could spell the end for many bars and restaurants in Wisconsin.
Bars and restaurants have been closed since March 17th, and are not expected to reopen until after Governor Tony Evers ‘Safer at Home’ order expires. The order has been extended to May 26th.
The Tavern League of Wisconsin’s Scott Stenger says many locations in the state may never reopen their doors.
“We had planned for this shutdown through April 24th,” Stenger told WTAQ. “A lot of our members aren’t going to make that, and to go further is not even a viable option.”
“I think we’re at about 10% now,” Stenger says, referring to bars and restaurants expected to close. “That number is just going to continue to steadily go higher.”
Stenger says curbside orders and delivery can only take some businesses so far, and many would like to reopen with safety procedures in place.
“We’re not saying ‘lets just open and go back to where we were before this started’,” said Stenger. “We can make appropriate changes and still have some revenue coming in for our businesses and keep people employed.”
Bars and restaurants, Stenger says, could re-open with additional safety procedures like mandated social distancing, digital, rather than paper, menus, and gloves and masks for staff.
“Businesses are open in this state,” Stenger said Friday. “Businesses are doing work and people are safely going to those businesses. We could take steps to make it safe for people to go to a tavern or a restaurant or a supper club.”
