CHICO, Calif.- California has dropped the workplace mask rule for vaccinated workers.
Action News Now spoke with employees at Broadway Heights in Chico to see how they’re adjusting.
For the first time in over a year, the restaurant looks just like it did before the pandemic. Employees said they are happy to see their customers smiling faces again and excited to not have to mask up anymore.
“It’s great to see their face, I’m like oh that’s what you look like, and it’s good that I can breathe easy and I’m not dying under my mask and it’s also nice people can see my cheerful face again too,” said employee Lesa Sheridan.
Sheridan said she feels comfortable interacting with customers without a mask.
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“I know people are getting vaccinated out there, some people are not, but I myself feel totally safe,” she said.
Broadway Heights’ owner, Scott Schulman, said he lifted all restrictions at his restaurant Tuesday when the state reopened.
“We’re getting a constant barrage of things we should do we shouldn’t do. Do it voluntarily, don’t do it voluntarily. Who do you listen to? The governor, Cal OSHA, Butte County, so we just decided nothing’s mandatory it’s all voluntary,” said Schulman.
He said they are still keeping their tables far apart.
Schulman tells Action News Now they are doing everything they can to stay safe and have been doing so since the pandemic started.
He said vaccinated employees are able to take their masks off and those who aren’t vaccinated are encouraged to wear one but not required.
Schulman adds that it’s a big challenge for him like many other businesses right now is hiring employees.
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