FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – Government Doug Burgum today signed an amended executive order paving the way for restaurants and bars to resume normal business hours as active cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have declined in North Dakota .
Under today’s amended executive order, bars, restaurants and other food services can resume normal business hours. at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, in accordance with local and state requirements. These units remain limited to 50 percent of their authorized residence capacity, not to exceed 150 employers, until 8 am on January 8 to limit the opportunities for transmission of the virus. Arrangements for seats and tables must allow a physical distance of at least 6 meters between the individual parts; dance areas must be closed; the service must be provided only for seated employers; and masks must be worn at all times by owners, managers and employees and by employers, unless they eat or drink.
“These businesses are an important part of our economy and we are deeply grateful for their efforts and sacrifices to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce active cases and hospitalizations,” Burgum said. “With the great efforts and personal responsibility of the North Dakotas, the combination of other mitigation measures we still have in place and the promise and expansion of vaccine implementation, rapid testing and therapy, we can allow restaurants and bars to resume normal operation and yet continue to protect the vulnerable, maintain the capacity of the hospital and keep students in the classroom. “
An order of the state health officer requesting the cover to be worn in interior affairs and indoor public spaces, as well as in outdoor public configurations where physical distancing is not possible, remains in effect until 12:01 p.m. They also remain limited to 25% of their maximum occupancy, so as not to exceed the ND Smart Restart capacity limits, until 8 am on January 8.
For more information on the North Dakota COVID-19 response, visit www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or www.ndresponse.gov.
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