ND Smart Restart commences

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an amended executive order Wednesday providing additional guidance for businesses that are resuming or continuing operations under the “North Dakota Smart Restart” protocols developed in collaboration with the business community to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The protocols initially released Tuesday included operating standards for all industries, as well as specific guidance for several high-contact business sectors including restaurants and bars; hair, nail and tanning salons and other cosmetology-related businesses; tattoo and body piercing businesses; massage therapy facilities; and fitness centers.

Additional ND Smart Restart protocols were provided Wednesday for movie theaters, including limiting capacity to 20%, allowing for proper spacing between groups and staggering showtimes to decrease congestion in common areas.

These businesses, which experienced temporary closures or access restrictions under the previous executive order that expired Thursday, April 30, have been allowed to re-open at 8 a.m. Friday, May 1, if the ND Smart Restart standard procedures and industry-specific rules are adopted and rigorously followed. Recreation and sports arenas, and music and entertainment venues, will remain closed until further notice.

Locally, restaurant owners were still reviewing the new protocols and hadn’t quite committed to reopening dine-in services as of press time Thursday.  

Kelly McKnight, owner of Bakers Dozen, said she and John had decided not to reopen their salad bar for the time being. Mary Richter of Rockford Cafe had not made a decision whether to reopen for dine-in as of Wednesday. Dennis Nybo, a member of the New Rockford Eagles Club board, said they would continue to offer carryout orders only until the board could develop a reopening plan for on-sale and dine-in service.

All the local salons, however, are making plans to reopen in the coming days. Clients arriving for appointments are expected to wear a mask, avoid bringing personal items into the salons and keep a safe distance from other clients and staff. The salons will be sanitizing their stations between clients, and the stylists will be wearing masks and other personal protective equipment and following all other safety protocols developed by the N.D. Department of Health. For a complete list of safety protocols businesses should implement, go to ndresponse.gov and click on the “ND Smart Restart” link at the top of the page.

For current information on the status of local businesses, go to the Transcript website and click on the “New Rockford Business Notices” box on the right sidebar. We will once again post notices from local businesses as they change their standard operating procedures, hours of operation and/or service provisions.