GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Earlier this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced goals to gradually reopen restaurants as safe and soon as possible.
Part of that announcement on Jan. 22 was a program called "MI COVID-19 Safer Dining." The state's website explains the program allows restaurants to "work with a certified HVAC inspector who will recommend changes to air ventilation to improve circulation and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread." It also requires restaurants to abide by safety protocols like mask wearing and social distancing.
Two webinars for the program, one for restaurants and one for HVAC professionals, were scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25. However, they were postponed with a date yet to be determined.
Restaurants across the state were left wondering what the program would mean for their business, as some prepare to reopen with 25% capacity on Feb. 1.
"We don’t know what that means, what the plan entails. We want to learn more," said Paola Mendivil, the catering coordinator for El Granjero Mexican Grill in Grand Rapids. "We want to work with the state and get more information so we can apply those practices if it's going to be a safer experience for both employees and customers. But, we haven’t heard anything much. So, we’re just waiting."
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The bottom line is more information will be released hopefully by the end of the week. LEO took over the program from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and is working to finalize details.
Sean Egan, Michigan's COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director, said he hopes to have more information out about the program by the end of the week, and to reschedule the webinars for next week.
"The program is designed to encourage businesses to consider HVAC mitigation strategies," said Egan. "No requirements in here, just a voluntary program and provide some symbolism to their customers to show they also have taken that step."
Still awaiting more details on the program, some restaurant owners say they will probably join the voluntary program, but are concerned about cost.
"I'm not sure how much it's going to matter, that sticker is on the door or not when guests come in," said Chris Andrus, the co-owner of the Mitten Brewing Company, "Certain guests, that matters a lot and certain guests don't care so much. So, we will probably do it, but I hope that it's not costly. The worst thing in the world it could be is to adhere to some arbitrary thing that costs us money and doesn't really change the bottom line for us."
Egan said the program will have "no requirements for changes" to restaurant's ventilation systems, but will provide methods they can use to make the environment a little more safe in relation to COVID-19 precautions.
Andrus is also one of the founding members of the Michigan Restaurant Promise, which is a group of restaurants who are committed to upholding guidelines by the State of Michigan and local health departments in relation to COVID-19 precautions.
"As the Michigan Restaurant Promise members, we feel we've been ahead of the curve and establishing trust," said Andrus. "And we've doubled down on our commitment to safety for staff and guests long before this safety program came around."
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