LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — For business owners, they and their employees, were wearing masks long before the mandate was announced. Some, even required patrons to wear them inside. Now, they're preparing changes and the possibility of defiant customers.
Since restaurants were allowed to open at a limited capacity on June 22, Local Taco General Manager says they've been giving their customers the option of wearing one, but today, that changes.
"I mean, we've been following the rules and wearing masks in the kitchen and in the front of the house the whole time. So, it's not really a big deal to us. I'm sure some customers are going to be upset by it, however, they can choose to stay home and eat," Lewis said.
Customers will have to wear a mask when they're not seated at their table. And under Gov. Andy Beshear's mandate, any business can refuse service to a customer who refused to wear one.
Peggy Queen owns Peggy's Gifts and Accessories, one of the Lexington shops selling masks. Queen says they've already required customers to wear one. "Right after the 4th of July is when we started hearing customers knew customers and we just felt a little nervous about it. I'm glad to hear that it protects yourself, as well as others, because I think that'll make people more inclined to wear the masks," Queen said.
If businesses continue to serve customers who aren't wearing masks, they can be shut down by the local health department.
