MADISON, Wis.– Dane County’s current mask order expires in two weeks, but that doesn’t mean even fully vaccinated people will be able to ditch their face coverings everywhere.
Like grocery stores, local restaurants will be able to make and enforce their own guidelines, so vaccinated people might still need a mask when dining out after June 2nd.
“I wouldn’t throw those masks away just yet,” cautioned Kristine Hillmer, President of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
“Our restaurants are just like the rest of society. I know there are plenty of staff that are vaccinated, comfortable, and ready to be done with masks,” said Jordan Bright, managing partner for the Madison-based Food Fight restaurant group. “But I also know there are some that are a little more cautious.”
Next month, Dane County restaurant owners will be able to establish their own mask policies, and what you need will likely depend on where you go.
RELATED: No masks required starting June 2nd; what Dane County’s decision means for grocery shopping
“We need to understand there’s going to be a little bit of time where some are going to require it and some are not,” added Hillmer.
While Hillmer doesn’t expect owners will require customers show proof of vaccination, Bright said that is a consideration Food Fight is making. The company is currently consulting its HR and legal departments to find a way to collect vaccination information from all employees, not because the company is mandating it, but because the CDC still has different rules in place for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
“The pandemic isn’t over. We’re still very focused on contact tracing,” Bright said. “It won’t be a light switch, where June 2nd hits and it’s a free for all. We’re going to build into higher capacity and less distancing.”
Whether dining at one of Food Fight’s 20 restaurants or another local spot, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check online before leaving your mask at home.
Remember: Masks help protect others, so even if you’re fully vaccinated, they help keep restaurant workers safe.
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