By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph businesses, at least most of them, have reopened under the lifting of local COVID-19 restrictions.
But business is anything but back to normal.
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Patt Lilly says it will take some time for that to happen.
“I think there will be a period, whatever that is, where we begin to open, but it will be with some regulation,” Lilly tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “It will be with some frame of mind that we have to continue to protect our health and that of our employees and customers.”
St. Joseph followed state guidelines and Monday lifted restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City officials continue to urge residents to maintain six feet of distance between themselves, to wash their hands thoroughly, and cough into their elbows.
Businesses also have been given guidelines. Lilly says each business will approach the lifting of restrictions differently.
“So, if you tell business what they have to do they will figure out how to get that done,” Lilly says. “They may not all do it the same way, but they will figure out how to get that done.”
Lilly says we are entering a period in which fears of the virus might well keep people from going out.
“On the St. Joseph side, we’re going to work to try to encourage people to get out and enjoy not only our local businesses, but enjoy the community,” Lilly says. “But obviously we all have to continue to do that in a safe way.”
Lilly says the coronavirus is changing business practices with restaurants and bars rearranging tables and chairs so patrons can maintain social distancing, with other businesses make sure they have plenty of sanitizer on hand for customers.
Lilly says he understands the virus hasn’t disappeared, but he hopes residents will venture out.
“I would hope that people begin to embrace getting back out, getting about what this new normal is all about and support our local businesses, so that they can sustain themselves going forward.”
Lilly says residents need to continue to maintain social distance and maintain good hygiene.