As COVID-19 cases surge, some restaurants are requiring customers to show proof that they’re vaccinated. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe Milwaukee Health Department supports this move.The city does not have a vaccine mandate for indoor dining. Odd Duck is one of a handful of local restaurants doing that on their own. Customers will now have to show proof of vaccination to get in the door.”To do what we thought was right was more important to us,” Odd Duck owner Melissa Buchholz said.When the current COVID-19 surge hit her staff and forced Buckholz to temporarily shut down, she decided that when the restaurant reopens this week, all dine-in customers will be required to show proof of vaccination.”There’s not a way for us to completely eliminate risk for people, but what we’ve always been trying to do is do things in the safest way possible,” Buckholz said.”Were you concerned that that was going to impact your business?” WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked.”We aren’t concerned about being able to fill our tables, fill our seats and pay our staff members through that and to serve people. We are just trying to do it in the safest way possible now,” Buckholz said.Other local restaurants are doing the same. Uncle Wolfie’s in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood will not only require vaccines but also boosters for anyone who is eligible.And Wy’East Pizza in Washington Heights posted its vaccine requirement on its website and its doors, even including a QR code to help customers access the state’s immunization registry.It’s a move that has the backing of Milwaukee’s health commissioner.”We are very supportive of that decision and doing anything we can to assist organizations or businesses that are requiring vaccine to make it work for them,” Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said.Buckholz said she respects customers who may choose to stay away because of the vaccine requirement, but hopes they understand.”We not forcing you to. We’re just saying, right now, we can’t safely serve you,” Buckholz said.Buckholz said that as she expected, she is getting “tons of backlash,” but not from her customers, who for the most part have been very supportive. She said some customers even requested the vaccine requirement and her reservations for dining, she says, are full.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
As COVID-19 cases surge, some restaurants are requiring customers to show proof that they’re vaccinated.
Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Health Department supports this move.
The city does not have a vaccine mandate for indoor dining.
Odd Duck is one of a handful of local restaurants doing that on their own. Customers will now have to show proof of vaccination to get in the door.
“To do what we thought was right was more important to us,” Odd Duck owner Melissa Buchholz said.
When the current COVID-19 surge hit her staff and forced Buckholz to temporarily shut down, she decided that when the restaurant reopens this week, all dine-in customers will be required to show proof of vaccination.
“There’s not a way for us to completely eliminate risk for people, but what we’ve always been trying to do is do things in the safest way possible,” Buckholz said.
“Were you concerned that that was going to impact your business?” WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked.
“We aren’t concerned about being able to fill our tables, fill our seats and pay our staff members through that and to serve people. We are just trying to do it in the safest way possible now,” Buckholz said.
Other local restaurants are doing the same. Uncle Wolfie’s in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood will not only require vaccines but also boosters for anyone who is eligible.
And Wy’East Pizza in Washington Heights posted its vaccine requirement on its website and its doors, even including a QR code to help customers access the state’s immunization registry.
It’s a move that has the backing of Milwaukee’s health commissioner.
“We are very supportive of that decision and doing anything we can to assist organizations or businesses that are requiring vaccine to make it work for them,” Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said.
Buckholz said she respects customers who may choose to stay away because of the vaccine requirement, but hopes they understand.
“We not forcing you to. We’re just saying, right now, we can’t safely serve you,” Buckholz said.
Buckholz said that as she expected, she is getting “tons of backlash,” but not from her customers, who for the most part have been very supportive.
She said some customers even requested the vaccine requirement and her reservations for dining, she says, are full.
Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN
Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube