GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As lawmakers and health leaders continue attempts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Green Bay businesses are left to adjust.
That is certainly the case for those that plan gatherings, after Governor Tony Evers banned mass gatherings of 50 or more people.
“The lack of a handshake, the lack of a hug, doesn’t mean we care any less. In fact, I think it means we care more,” said Shawn Smith.
Smith is the managing funeral director for Newcomer in Green Bay.
“So you can see here it just says a special request from the family, ‘please no hugs or handshakes at this time,'” said Smith, referencing just one of the additions he’s made to the funeral home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Those adjustments mean more than adding cleaning wipes, pens, sanitizer and tissue around the funeral home.
Smith tells FOX 11 when it comes to people who need to change plans to prevent the spread of the coronavirus…
“The time comes when this has passed, and it will pass, that they want to have a larger celebration of life they’ll be able to do that and that’s not going to be something they have to incur additional costs. We’re not here to take advantage of people.”
Green Bay alder Brian Johnson tells FOX this is going to be everyone’s challenge.
“This is obviously an unprecedented time and the financial impact of this could be very severe so we’re doing everything we can to help mitigate that.”
He adds because not every business can be as flexible with venue and event cancellations, the city is looking at ways to offset economic loss.
“Not only to the business but the consumers that are out there. So we want to create resources that we can make available to these individuals. How that looks, we’re not sure yet.”
As coronavirus continues to impact local economy, Johnson says it’s up to the business to decide how to move forward.
There’s just a lot of questions and a lot of uncertainty in these types of situations but we obviously encourage those venues to work with their customers to find a good outcome.”
Governor Evers’ order to limit gatherings will stay in effect until the state’s public health emergency expires.
That date hasn’t been set.
