Many area businesses are taking steps to continue to serve their customers while also meeting new rules regarding the COVID-19 threat. Others have closed temporarily or trimmed hours of operation.
Deanna Witzel, owner-operator of six area McDonald’s Restaurants, says all six remain open in Danville, Hoopeston, Oakwood and Georgetown. She says customers can order or pick-up carry-out food in the lobby, at drive-thru areas, and by using the mobile app or Door Dash (where food is delivered to homes or businesses). But inside dining is banned under the temporary rules announced by Governor JB Pritzker to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
McDonald’s Play Place areas are also closed. Witzel says they are trying to keep employees working, but adds ‘’anybody with the slightest sniffle is being sent home.’’
Meanwhile at the Beef House near Covington, Indiana all inside dining has been temporarily suspended. Brad Wright is one of the owners of the Beef House….
{”Well we’re doing basically like curb-side service, kind of, where people are coming in and getting some meals. They’re calling ahead and trying to get meals to go which is the only way we can do it right now since they’ve done this to us. So, we’re trying to do the best we can for everybody and trying to keep people with food,” said Wright during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.}
Although customers cannot eat meals inside during the COVID-19 threat, Wright says they are offering meals to go…
{We are pretty much offering full meals. I mean steak dinners, where you’ve got a hot, like cafeteria line we’re going to try to do. Have certain specials during the week and see how that goes – til either we decide to close, or keep going if it stays busy,” said Wright.}
Wright is still puzzled about some the new government guidelines….
{”To me it’s just not fair. I mean there’s certain people that can do things. And you can have people – tons of people in grocery stores, but then you can’t have seventy-five people come in and eat here. There’s just a lot of things that aren’t making sense.”}
Both Wright and Witzel add that they are just trying to do the best they can to keep serving their customers during the pandemic.
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[This story by Bill Pickett, News Director of Neuhoff Media Danville. Got a news tip? Give Bill a call at 217-709-1245 or reach him at Billpickett@neuhoffmedia.com.]
