Bars, wineries and gyms can open Friday in Fresno County. They will look a lot different
Friday looks to be a big day for Fresno County bars, as local health officials on Wednesday confirmed those businesses can reopen.
The local openings fit with the state’s Resilience Roadmap, as more businesses are allowed to reopen with modifications following months of stay-at-home orders.
In a press conference Wednesday, Fresno County health officials said the reopening of family entertainment centers (including movies theaters) would be delayed until June 26.
In addition to bars, other sectors like gyms, wineries, campgrounds and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo will be allowed to reopen Friday, with new guidelines in place. Dr. Rais Vohra, the interim county public health officer said that the health department has been working with business — sometimes directly, as was the case the zoo — to make sure they can reopen safely. Bars and wineries in particular have the benefit of using best practices from restaurants, which opened for dine-in customers last month.
Some bars have opened already because they serve food, but Friday will be the first day bars that serve only drinks can open.
These business won’t look like they did before, he says.
The county will release specific guidelines for the businesses in Fresno County late Wednesday or Thursday.
Vohra was also quick to remind the public that we are still in a pandemic and safety measures should be followed. Hand hygiene is a must, along with social distancing and wearing a mask.
Also, people should stay home if they feel sick, even with slight symptoms.
“This is an unprecedented time,” he said. “For some of us it will be opt out. When in doubt, opt out.”
If all goes as planned, craft beer bar Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen on Wishon Avenue in the Tower District is planning to open Friday using state guidelines and any additional requirements issued by the county.
So far, that means the bar can open at 50% its normal capacity, said owner Craig Johnson.
Since people must still maintain social distancing, there won’t be any bar stools at the bar. Instead he’s opting for smaller pub tables throughout the business.
Customers will be asked to wear a mask while entering the bar and ordering their drinks. Obviously, they can take it off to drink their beer.
“We’re really going to err on the side of caution, even though it seems silly to people,” he said. “If you’re standing there ordering, you are protecting the bartender (by wearing a mask).
There won’t be any live music for now, because people tend to congregate in front of bands and singing has been shown to contribute to spread of the virus.
“We’re hoping that everybody takes this serious,” he said. “It’s definitely uncharted waters here.”
Tip well
One request from Johnson: Tip your bartenders well.
Bartenders depend on tips for much of their income.
He expects business will be slow at first since many people are still not ready to come out. Given that bartenders will be going off of unemployment, and business won’t be back to normal, they could take a financial hit.
“We’d like everybody to think generously and dig into their pockets,” he said. “When you’re normally tipping a dollar, maybe think of tipping a few more.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 3:09 PM.
