PORTLAND, Ore. — When the Goose Hollow Inn in Southwest Portland does eventually reopen its doors to sit-down dining, those sitting down will be doing so quite a bit differently.
The laid-back tavern known for its tasty Reubens and festive outdoor seating will be changing things up.
"I'm sketching and drawing, I'm figuring out, from removing some of the tables on the deck... and putting them in the parking lot, if the OLCC will let me do that," said long-time manager Rachel Clark.
The daughter of former Portland Mayor Bud Clark spoke about her plans on KGW Sunrise Extra.
"In phase one you have to have 6 feet between each party which will reduce the capacity for all off the restaurants," said Clark. "That is the biggest thing that all of us struggling with."
Under the state's new draft plan obtained by The Oregonian, restaurants will still be required to separate customers by at least six feet.
But contact tracing, which was proposed in the state's initial draft plan, has been taken out. That would have required restaurants to take down personal information about its patrons.
The idea behind that proposal was this if someone caught the virus, the restaurant could track down everyone that might have gotten infected and warn them to isolate themselves to prevent the spread.
Some argued that went a bit overboard. And perhaps the state agreed. Under the new draft plan, buffets, salad bars or self-serve soda fountains won't be allowed.
Restaurants and bars will be required to close by 10:00 p.m. And all staff will be required to wear face-masks, which Clark says, could be a challenge.
"Providing face-masks for employees seems like kind of a big ask when they're not even enough face-masks in the hospitals," she said.
The new draft plan also allows for limited bar seating as long as there is a window or some sort of protective barrier in place.
Nate Tilden, co-owner of Clyde Common in downtown Portland said he plans to make some kind of plexiglass shield between his bartenders and patrons.
It might sound a bit strange but what was normal is not anymore
"Restaurants are not going to be able to function the way they did before COVID," Tilden said. "We have to pivot we have do the new normal."
But again, this is still just a draft plan. It could very well change again.