KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas is requiring renewed restrictions for bars, restaurants and taverns in the city because of the rise of positive COVID-19 cases. But this time, restaurants are better prepared.
"We consider this to be a partial change, partial shutdown in certain social activities that are occurring in Kansas City primarily," Lucas said at a press conference on Monday. "You will see that restaurant and bars, we have a recommendation of closure at 10 p.m."
Heather White, co-owner of The Russell, said the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way they conduct business, but it has worked.
When the first COVID-19 guidelines came out in the spring, White and her team crafted a new business model that included curbside pick-up. Now, the owners are glad they adjusted earlier this year, so they don't have to make changes in light of Lucas' announcement.
"I am confident that we will be able to ride these next set of rules out only because we haven't changed since March," White said, "and these are very similar to the rules that were implemented in March."
At the Bier Station in Waldo, Owner John Couture said they had to change everything on Day One of the pandemic.
"We shifted outside and expanded our patio and leaned into that throughout the spring, summer and fall," Couture said. "Just having people get beer to go."
Because of those changes, he too said these new guidelines won't affect the Bier Station -- But a continued increase in COVID-19 cases that would cause businesses to temporarily shut down is a concern.
"It's the biggest challenge I've ever had to make in my life," Couture said, "For our staff, trying to keep people employed. It's been incredibly stressful, but I am sure everybody else is feeling that too. It's just something we all have to work through."
The new COVID-19 orders, which include limiting indoor gatherings and restaurant/venue occupancy, go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.
