GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The new emergency order that begins Thursday in Wisconsin that limits capacity to 25% in some businesses wasn’t a shock to those FOX 11 spoke with shortly after the order was issued Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s tough on everybody,” said Sarah Veldkamp, owner of Cranky Pats in Green Bay.
Before the pandemic, 70% of Cranky Pats’ business was from dine in customers. Now, 70% is take out.
“The numbers are down a little bit, but everybody is.”
Veldkamp tells FOX 11 that shift will make the new capacity restriction easier to handle than when the Safer At Home order was put into place in spring, which shutdown dine-in operations.
“It’s probably a smart move for the government and for the cases and for people who are at risk, but it’s a tough move on businesses. I know business owners who even say they’re not going to follow it unless they get fined. I’m going to try because I understand both sides of it.”
While Cranky Pats intends to follow the order, other businesses say they have no plan to. That includes just down the street at The Getaway.
“I don’t think the threat is big enough to enforce it,” said Madeline Cronin, the manager of The Getaway.
“I know numbers are on the rise, but it’s always funny how when law abiding citizens are doing something, numbers automatically go up, but across the country there’s been riots and everything else and numbers aren’t affected that way.”
Violating the order could result in a fine up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.
Cronin tells FOX 11 ongoing restrictions have harmed her mental health.
“It has been really hard not knowing what is going to happen and being a pawn in this whole political game that we have going on.”
Around the corner, The Next Stop’s owner, Dawn Vanpay, also disagrees with the new order, but she plans to follow it.
“I personally think if people are bothered with it they should stay home, but the ones that want to come out should be able to.”
One thing everyone agrees on? Hopefully, the limit ends sooner rather than later.
“Get the cases under control and move on,” said Veldkamp.
The order is scheduled to last until November 6th, which is three days after the election.
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