PUNTA GORDA, FL — Bars across Florida were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity for the first time since they reopened in June.
On September 14th, Governor Ron DeSantis released an executive order allowing bars to reopen. However, bars still have rules which they must follow to remain open. One of the conditions is that the bars will follow social distancing rules, and patrons must wear a mask. Bars must also be kept at or below 50% capacity with floor markings to guide how close you can be to others.
Bars in Florida reopened in June but had to close again after a reported rise in COVID cases. While some bars may be slow to reopen, many businesses looking forward to getting back to usual proceedings.
Perch 360, a bar located on the top of the Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda, is one of those bars that immediately plan to reopen. The general manager of Perch 360, Chris Hamm, thinks that COVID is not enough to prevent people from getting a drink.
“The bars have been closed for months, and people are getting bored at home,” Hamm said. “This past week has been very busy, and I’ve spoken to owners of other bars who have told me the same thing. Everyone wears masks, and we make sure people don’t sit too close, so the older customers comfortable being here.”
Some bars are taking extra precautions when they open this time. Ice House Pub, a British themed pub in Punta Gorda, canceled dart tournaments and sporting events. Ice House bartender Stephen Young, 21, misses these events because of how much busier the pub was during events.
“The dart tournaments attracted so many people here, and everyone got to bond over the competition,” Young said. “I know that it’s to protect our families and us, but it makes the job a lot less fun.”
Young immediately got his job back when the pub reopened. The pub promised the employees that they could come back when the bar opened again. Hamm also gave his staff at Perch 360 the same promise. Young adds that the Ice House remains busy, despite the cancellation of these events.
While staff members and owners remain comfortable with the reopening, some patrons seem somewhat hesitant to return. According to the United States Census Bureau, 56% of Punta Gordas population consists of people 65 years of age or older. This puts most of the city at a higher risk for COVID. Jared Ristvedt, 56, frequently visited bars before the shutdown. Now, he is worried about getting COVID and giving it to his clients at his hair salon.
“Most of my clients are older,” Ristvedt said. “My biggest fear is that I get one of my clients sick, and they go to the hospital, or something worse happens.”
Ristvedt adds that he still goes to the bars once or twice a week for social interaction but leaves if the place is too busy.
