GA Reopening Friday Divides Business Owners: Coronavirus

GEORGIA — In spite of criticism from some of the state's mayors and even President Donald Trump, Georgia is reopening against the guidelines set by the White House and the coronavirus task force. Earlier in the week, Gov. Brian Kemp announced certain businesses could reopen on Friday.

For some business owners, including Michael Moon, who has owned the full service dry cleaner Express Cleaners in Johns Creek for nearly two decades, Kemp's decision is premature as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state. But some restaurant owners who are struggling to keep afloat by doing takeout service planned to reopen right away.

"Understandably, the governor is in a tough spot and regardless of what he says, there will be people who disagree with what he chooses to do," Moon told Patch. "I am happy for my customers who own and work in hair salons, barber shops, and restaurants, as they will be getting a boost in income."

Fitness centers, barbers, hair salons, tattoo shops and bowling alleys are among the businesses allowed to resume operation on Friday. To reopen the services must continue social distancing and medical screenings. The list and explanation are here.

On Monday, movie theaters may open their doors and Georgia restaurants are allowed to resume in-house dining. Guidelines were released for restaurants, including no buffets, servers are required to wear face masks and limited capacity inside buildings.

See more: Reopening Guidelines Released For Restaurants: GA Coronavirus

As of Friday morning, the Georgia Department of Public Health said the state has a total of 22,147 coronavirus cases. To date, 4,221 patients have been hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment, and
892 deaths have been caused by the virus.

For John Capone, owner of Bradley's Bar & Grill and Dogwood Catering in Marietta, his operation has shifted to takeout options with about half of his usual business.

"We think our restaurant will be OK, but we are definitely worried about the catering," Capone said. "Half of the catering is meal plans on college campuses for fraternities, and the other half is private and corporate catering. We are brainstorming for ideas on what we can do to keep it going because we are not confident the private and corporate catering will come back that quickly."

Capone said he never agreed with the business shutdowns in Georgia, and will reopen as soon as he is permitted to.

"We have everything we need, including standard COVID-19 things such as masks and gloves on staff, lots of Clorox wipes for customers, lots of wiping of door knobs, chairs, etc.," Capone told Patch. "We removed 75 percent of bar stools and chairs. We will still encourage curbside and delivery."

Moon's dry-cleaning business wasn't required to shutter, but that didn't keep the business, and the community, from feeling the strain of the coronavirus pandemic. With fewer people needing to dress up for work, special events being canceled and restaurants closing, Moon saw a sharp decrease in sales.

"The gradual decrease of sales meant we would have to start making touch decisions," Moon said. "Sadly, we have had to cut hours and subsequent pay to our staff. Through no fault of their own, they are having to make sacrifices. We tried applying for Small Business Administration disaster loans, Paycheck Protection Program, and the Facebook grant available to us. Pretty much any help we could find. So far, we are still waiting on these applications to provide a response, but we are not holding our breath."

Early on in the pandemic, Moon decided he would do everything possible to stay open and continue to serve the remaining customers that Express Cleaners still had.

"After all, a lawyer, doctor, or anyone else in essential businesses cannot work without the proper clean, sanitized attire," Moon said. "Thankfully, our efforts in wearing gloves, face masks, consistent and frequent disinfecting of surfaces, social distancing, and installation of acrylic barriers seem to be making a difference."

Even with additional safety measures in place, Moon said he is wary of the impact reopening will have on the public's perception that they can go about things as normal.

"I understand that there is a strong desire to get the economy back up, but the guidelines being set by the Trump administration have not yet been met based on numbers being reported in our state," Moon said. "I fear that opening businesses too soon will end up undoing the efforts we have put in so far to contain the spread of the virus and cause more hardship for businesses and their employees in the near future."

Other business owners aren't as optimistic as Moon, though.

Worries Of Second Lockdown

Dave Smith, owner of Blue Frog Imports in Woodstock, said he is worried the soft reopening will cause Georgia to have a second lockdown. There are strict restrictions businesses have been given in order to reopen, and Smith is worried those rules won't be enforced.

"I think it is one of the most ridiculous decisions a governor can make while in office," Smith said. "There are very few ways to contain the virus. Business owners that return to work will have to be stringent on following all safety rules. You can't tell me that Kemp has a task force to ensure that every business is going to follow these guidelines. The virus wins if we don't isolate with so many cases growing daily. Who will decide if and when customers visiting these businesses are infecting other people unnecessarily? I don't feel it is possible to be safe enough to go back to work now. I'm hoping people will come to their senses and not venture out."

Although Smith's business is permitted to reopen, he said Blue Frog Imports will not open for at least another month or two.

"We are not opening until sometime in June, as long as cases stop skyrocketing and there is a noticeable decline in cases," Smith said. "We are gathering supplies to be ready to open. We will survive. I try to take things one day at a time. To say the least, it is overwhelming. Not really sure about the future. A new way to run business will have to be developed with the utmost in safety in line."

Do Diners Feel Safe Coming Out?

Jennifer Tiberia and her husband own and operate two restaurants, including Sprig Restaurant in Decatur. She said between the two restaurants, they have lost 40-60 percent of sales, and had to furlough employees.

While her businesses will be able to open with new restrictions on Monday, Tiberia said her family is unsure it is the right decision.

"It will take a long time for guests to feel comfortable sitting in a restaurant with other guests and being waited on," she said. "I have mixed feelings. I would hope we could all rely on our elected officials to make the best decision of all of our business financially and safely. I don’t think our customers are ready. So we will continue as we are. We will allow patrons to sit on our patio with their to-go orders. That way the ones who want to get out have a place to sit."

But her restaurant will not offer table service, and customers will not be allowed to eat in the restaurant until it feels safer. When that threshold is reached is unclear.

"I think Kemp and others are trying to make the best decisions for Georgia," Tiberia said. "I am just not sure they are. I truly believe no one knows what the right answer is."

See more:

• GA Coronavirus: More Deaths, More Hospitalized As Of Friday
• Details Of Georgia's Controversial Reopening: Coronavirus
• When Hair Salons, Dining, Theaters, Churches Will Re-Open In GA
• Trump Backtracks, Says Too Soon For GA Coronavirus Reopening