Countywide variance approved for restaurants, bars

WORLAND — Washakie County had its variance for restaurants and bars approved Monday by the Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist and County Health Officer. Dr. Ed Zimmerman. The variance allows bars and restaurants to provide dine-in seating under strict guidelines.

The six-page health order No. 1 includes nearly two pages of guidelines that must be adhered to with restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs required to fill out a “Washakie County Intent to Operate Under Variance No. 1” form. Once the form is filled out and signed it will be submitted to the County Health Officer and Incident Management Team for final approval.

Washakie County Board of Commission Chair Fred Frandson announced Friday during a special meeting that the commissioners had submitted the proposed variance. Under the current state order restaurants and bars or required to have deliver or do take-out services with five people being allowed in the restaurant to pick up food, through at least May 15 according to the current state orders that went in to effect May 1.

The variance was approved Monday by Harrist and then signed and approved by Zimmerman Monday afternoon.

Three Washakie County businesses had plans approved by Wyoming Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist to open immediately on Saturday, May 2.

According to Washakie County Homeland Security/Emergency Management Director Kami Neighbors, Harrist approved exemptions to the state’s closure of bars and restaurants for Goose’s Liquor in Worland and Ten Sleep Brewing Company and Ten Sleep Saloon and Restaurant.

Neighbors said Harrist, in approving the plans, reminded the businesses that the approval of the plans can be revoked if the metrics in Washakie County and around the state change with COVID-19.

Neighbors said common guidelines in each of the three businesses that were allowed to open Saturday included having staff wear masks, tables must be at least six feet apart.

Staff will be screened for temperatures and other COVID-19 symptoms on a daily basis. Staff will adhere to strict handwashing and all high-touched services will be cleaned on a regular basis.

There will be no self-service of any food or drink items.

Tables and menus will be cleaned in between each customer.

The above guidelines are also part of the 22 guidelines in the countywide variance.

The full variance order can be found at wyodaily.com and the variance and form can be located later today at washakiecounty.net/covid

More on the variance will be published in the Northern Wyoming News May 7 issue.