GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) -- Friday night in downtown Green Bay was something many hadn't seen in a while as bars opened their doors just hours after Brown County's stay-at-home order was rescinded.
The order was rescinded around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Don Mjelde, the president of the Brown County Tavern League and owner of Richard Craniums, said he opened its doors after hearing the news. They bar also opened on Wednesday night after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the statewide 'Safer at Home' order, but Mjelde said they had to close down two hours after opening due to the Brown County order being issued.
"It was a bit of a punch in the gut, but we understood that the health department wants to make sure that everything is being handled safely and responsibly, and we feel the same sentiment so we had no problem doing that," added Mjelde.
Friday night, people gathered at Richard Craniums as well as other bars in downtown Green Bay. Earlier in the day, Mjelde said he didn't know what to expect in terms of a crowd but said they had doubled staff. He added that he would rather be overstaffed and ready.
Mjelde also said they are following the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's guidelines.
"Their guidelines are you should wear a mask when you're around people, try to maintain social distancing, tables six feet apart. Though they are guidelines, I'm advising all the Tavern League members out there to follow them because it's for your own safety, for the safety of your employees, and the safety of your customers," added Mjelde.
Brown County officials encouraged businesses to follow the WEDC guidelines as well as the CDC guidelines on reopening. They also reminded people to continue exercising precatuions, like staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands oftens, and wearing a mask or face covering when in public.
