Businesses Preparing For Mask Order

WAAY 31 talked to a restaurant owner who hopes the new mask ordinance doesn't deter customers.

30 hospitals across the state don't have any left.

New at five... a lot of businesses in north alabama are figuring out how to enforce the governor's new masking ordinance that starts in 24 hours.

Mandatory masking is new for most of our area.

Waay31's megan reyna is live in downtown hartselle after talking to a restaurant owner who hopes this ordinance doesn't deter customers.

In just 24 hours -- pizza ed will need to put up a sign like this one -- letting customers know in order to come inside this restaurant -- they'll need to wear a mask.

But they can still take it off to eat or drink.

Gwin says:"the challenge for them is when they are going to have to walk into the door and wait to be seated and as soon as they are seated, they'll be fine."

Nats gwin:"they are not going to have to stuff food up under their masks."

Eddie gwin is trying not to let this state-wide mask ordinance scare customers away.

While he wasn't expecting governor kay ivey's announcement today -- he's always preparing for changes.

Gwin says:"you just try to look at every scenario and every possibility and try to just adjust."

This time -- gwin is thankful there won't be too much adjusting.

He says they will follow the state's guidelines and have customers wear masks until seated.

But his business already ramped up sanitizing so customers feel safe.

Gwin says:"you know we have to take a day and basically go in and deep clean everything in the restaurant, you know we have to wipe down everything, every table, every chair."

And while pizza is a popular to-go item -- in order to pay all his employees -- the dining room needs to remain open.

Gwin says:"you know we gotta have our serves working, we need our bus people working, we need our hostess working, you know its about jobs to these people, it's their livelihood."

Already today -- i have seen several people wearing masks walking around downtown while they shop.

Again in order to go inside a restaurant like this one -- it won't just be an option -- but required.

Reporting live in hartselle