Washington state fully reopens, some restaurants still struggle

After over a year of providing to-go orders, running at half-capacity or shutting down completely, restaurants emerging from COVID-19 restrictions aren’t in the clear yet.  

Washington state fully reopened June 30 and Whatcom County restaurants can now operate at full capacity due to Gov. Jay Inslee’s updated Washington Ready Plan. However, those restaurants continue to face staffing and supply shortages, coupled with a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant.  

The new COVID-19 reopening guidelines, set by the state for businesses and other organizations, are being implicated by local authorities as well. New safety guidelines and rules include having unvaccinated employees wear a mask to work and having employers verify that workers are fully vaccinated before allowing them to work without a mask, according to the Whatcom County Resources for Businesses and Community Organizations. 

"Now that we are open [at full capacity], there have definitely been staff shortages,” said Chelsea Vandenberg, a bartender for Barkley Bob’s Burgers & Brew in Bellingham. “People got used to not working. There are a lot of supply shortages too, with beer, liquor and spices. There are little, tiny things that you would think would not make a big impact, but it definitely does."   

Vandenberg said she believes Whatcom County restaurants should still be allowed to run at full capacity even with new variants, such as the delta variant.  

She said running at half-capacity makes it harder for restaurants, especially when they must have products ready, pay for electricity and pay the staff working there. With proper cleanliness and safety protocols, Vandenberg said she believes restaurants should not be excluded from running like other businesses, like grocery stores, which also deal with large numbers of people. 

Helen Neville, the owner of 7 Spice Cafe located in downtown Bellingham, said her restaurant is facing supply shortages since reopening at full capacity.   

"Food cost has gone up at least 10%, and product prices are also high, so the cost of restaurants has gone up across the board," Neville said. "We struggle from week to week to get the product we need since the people who sell us the products are out of them as well. It's been very difficult to operate when you're out of [supplies]."  

Neville said her restaurant closed twice during the pandemic after employees tested positive for COVID-19. She said she hopes this doesn't occur again as new variants move into Whatcom County.  

"When you have a team member who tests positive, and you have to close everything down and throw all your product away and pay your employees, the financial burden is tremendous,” Neville said. "It is amazing that restaurants can really keep going."  

Neville said employees and customers at 7 Spice Cafe must wear masks until their final team member is fully vaccinated. She said it is unfortunate a new variant of the virus has been found in Whatcom County, but there are things for people to do to help their communities. 

 "I think that the best way to protect our community — to be in service to our community and to show love and care for our community — is to get vaccinated," Neville said. 

What is the delta variant?  

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2, or the delta variant, is a form of COVID-19 that has mutated, said Jennifer Balkus, an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Health in the department of epidemiology.   

Balkus said when viruses spread and infect individuals they can mutate, which is a common thing to see. Concerns for the delta variant include its transmissibility and the lack of knowledge regarding its severity compared to other variants of the virus, though some evidence suggests the new variant may be more severe, Balkus said. 

The variant first emerged in India in December 2020 and has spread across 104 countries and areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Data Tracker.  

 In Whatcom County, the first case of the delta variant was found July 7, according to a sequencing and variant report from the Washington State Department of Health.  

However, Teresa McCallion, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Health, said in an email that the delta variant is not responsible for driving a spike in cases, hospitalizations or deaths in Washington state. 

McCallion said the best way community members can protect themselves and others is to get fully vaccinated, meaning two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are received.   

"Because viruses mutate when they are transmitted from one person to another, the best way to combat mutations is to stop transmissions, yet another reason why we encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated if they can," McCallion said.  

McCallion said the most vulnerable are unvaccinated community members. About 70% of people 16 years and older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine, as of July 14, according to a Twitter post made by the Washington State Department of Health 

"Vaccines are doing a great job of protecting people,” McCallion said. “The real concern is the unvaccinated people. The full population number includes children 12 and younger who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.” 

What does the variant mean for restaurants?  

Steve Somers, the owner of Barkley Bob's Burgers & Brew in Bellingham, said he is ready to close the restaurant temporarily if mandates move backward. He said business owners have to be prepared for the worst because of the pandemic. 

"We just had to learn how to adjust,” Somers said. “That is how the world is now, but I feel confident that we will stay open. You always have to think optimistic; however, I am going to be prepared if things do change because that has been what is happening in the world."   

Bob Lutz, medical advisor for Washington’s COVID-19 Response, said the virus is behavior sensitive and people need to remain vigilant when going to restaurants and bars. 

"It takes advantage of bad behavior," Lutz said.  

These bad behaviors Lutz mentioned include getting together in large groups, especially gathering in those large groups without a mask or face covering. He said a lack of social distancing and poor ventilation in small spaces also add to the bad behaviors. 

Still, Lutz said he expects Washington will not move backward with its mask mandates or reopening, but some local areas in Washington may pose restrictions if they see a change in the spread of the delta variant.  

"You will not see Washington state close down," Lutz said. "What you may see, however, is that in those communities where vaccination rates are low and local health officials working in conjunction with the department of health may say, 'You know what, we have to be more restrictive with what is happening.'”

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