Local businesses, churches closed due to coronavirus re-opening

Under Governor Ricketts’ new directed health measure, which went into effect Monday, May 4, local businesses and organizations that previously had to shut down or alter their services are able to open again.

Social distancing guidelines are still in place across Nebraska, such as staying at least six feet apart, but guidelines for churches, restaurants, dentist offices, hair salons and more have been relaxed to allow for limited operations.

Churches

Churches in the community plan to open back up, though their timing may vary. There are strict guidelines about households remaining six feet apart, and items such as communion and offering plates cannot be passed among churchgoers. It has been suggested for churches to close off every other pew to allow for proper distancing.

United Methodist Church and New Life Fellowship in Grant both held their last services on March 8 and plan to hold their next service on May 10. Both churches have been live streaming or recording services through their closures, and these video services have reached an audience all over the country.

Venango Community Church held its last service on March 15 and will resume services within the next few weeks. Pastor Chris Costrini says they want to keep their senior population safe, so they will be holding off on restarting in-person services for the time being. They have been recording their services for viewers at home, and will continue to post sermons to the church’s YouTube channel.

Trinity Lutheran in Grant held a service on May 3 after closing at the end of February. Pastor Wayne Pick estimates it’s been eight weeks since they’d last been open to the public. The church had not been able to live stream or record sermons, and while the congregation would like to return, many regular attendees remain uneasy about returning for their own safety. Regular services will continue, and they are working on a plan for churchgoers to safely partake in communion and other church activities.

Because each church’s plans for future services vary, contact your house of worship with any questions.

Restaurants

Restaurants also have strict guidelines for re-opening their dining areas, including keeping tables to six or fewer people, arranging tables to be at least six feet apart, sanitizing tables after each customer, eliminating bar seating for the time being and limiting alcoholic beverages to be consumed only with a meal, not separately. In the case of Little Country Kitchen, the salad bar and Sunday buffet will be unavailable until further notice for sanitation purposes.

DJ’s in Grant, Little Country Kitchen in Madrid, Bootleg Bar & Grille in Madrid and Middle of Nowhere in Venango all closed their dining rooms after the April 3 DHM. Each of them re-opened Monday, May 4 under the new DHM.

Before Monday, the restaurants had continued to serve customers with various other options besides dining in.

DJ’s had previously offered carryout, curbside pickup and delivery. They took the time the dining room was closed to sanitize and remodel the interior of the restaurant.

Little Country Kitchen, Bootleg Bar & Grille and Middle of Nowhere all offered take-out only for customers, and each of the restaurants found the community to be incredibly supportive despite not being able to sit down and eat.

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