DEWEY BEACH, Del. - Restaurants are making new adjustments and tightening restrictions as summer crowds begin to build. The Delaware Division of Public Health said on Friday, June 19th that young people staying in Dewey Beach for senior week tested positive for COVID-19 and might have exposed more than 100 people in the Dewey-Rehoboth area.
The Starboard is taking employees' temperatures when they come to work and asking anyone with symptoms or who has been exposed to the virus to stay home and get tested. Woody's reduced its business to takeout only on Wednesday. The Dewey Beach Country Club announced on Facebook that it had suspended bar seating. Hammerheads also announced in a Facebook post on Thursday that it would be temporarily closing both of its locations.
"It's not just about the business, it's about Dewey Beach and the community and trying to keep everyone safe," says The Starboard General Manager Keith Kirk.
The Starboard moved many tables outside and spread out bar-stools to help people social distance, but Kirk says the customers play a critical role in fighting COVID-19.
"When you come in here wear a mask, social distance yourself," Kirk says. "We'll police you, but we prefer you police yourself. Wash your hands. If you guys are at risk we ask that you stay home."
Hand sanitizing stations are installed throughout the restaurant and tables are marked once they've been cleaned. Both The Starboard and Woody's have a professional sanitation company coming in after hours.
"It's a hospital-grade spray," says Woody's owner Jimmy O'Conor. "They do the deck out here, they do the inside."
O'Conor scaled his business back to takeout only until he feels comfortable letting people dine in again.
"I had some customers that would rebel against it and say I don't need to wear a mask," O'Conor says. "I'm only going to the bar and my 19-year-old hostesses don't need to be harassed."
Some musicians have pulled out of upcoming shows to avoid being part of the spread.
"I literally hugged someone who hugged someone who actually has it," says LauraLea Taraskus of LauraLea and TrippFabulous.
Taraskus says members are currently awaiting test results. She says she felt safe when she played at the Rusty Rudder on three recent Wednesdays but she doesn't want to play a part of another shutdown.
"I'm spraying like a sprinkler, it's disgusting because you're singing and it's horrible, but it's true," Taraskus says.
Kristen and the Noise posted a message to fans on Facebook announcing the cancellation of upcoming gigs after a member tested positive.
The Starboard also hopes to keep COVID-19 from spreading by closing early each night starting Thursday. Kirk says the doors will be locked at 11 p.m. and that last call will be called shortly after.
"When they come in at the front door we tell them what our expectations are and if they're not following it we have to ask them to leave," Kirk says.