LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — More people inside stores and restaurants could become a reality if Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick gets her way. She’s working on recommendations to the COVID task force that includes increasing the capacity in businesses to 50%.
Allowing more customers inside Sparrow + Wolf would help Chef and Owner Brian Howard make ends meet.
“It’s time to get these restaurants going and this industry won’t survive. There’s a lot of people closing their doors right now,” he said.
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Howard’s wish could soon come true.
Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick says she’s working on a plan that would loosen restrictions including increasing the number of people allowed in businesses from 25% to 50% capacity.
“I want to be ready to have some recommendations in the event that I’m asked by the mitigation task force or himself on what we can relax.”
Commissioner Kirkpatrick points to how the county is doing with handling the virus as a reason to prepare.
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“The trends are looking good," she said. "More vaccines are in the community, hospital capacity is down -- but that could change overnight.”
Kirkpatrick says she doesn’t have a specific date when restrictions could be loosened.
“We don’t ever want to get too far out in front of what that date looks like," she said, "but I’m hopeful if things continue on the path they are today, that we can keep moving forward."
Howard says he’s hopeful about the future but is managing the best he can right now.
“We’re filling the seats and people want to come out and dine," he said. "It sucks to tell our guests that we can’t seat you tonight."
Kirkpatrick says she’s planning to provide her recommendations at the next COVID task force meeting, which she believes will happen in a few weeks.
