UPDATE (WKOW) – At Nonno’s Ristorante Italiano, owner Juan Murillo has no hesitation in entering the kitchen.
The news that he and his team could receive the vaccine put him in a good mood on Friday.
“Being able to receive the news today that we were able to receive it, I think it is a very good step and also for making our customers feel safer when they arrive,” he said.
Murillo says he and his 8 employees were initially shocked that restaurant workers were not on the new eligibility list released earlier this week.
“We are all essential workers in the restaurant, we have been working from the beginning, so why not be included in the first place,” he said.
This news took almost everyone by surprise.
He says he is still trying to give everyone the vaccine, for now, asking employees to make their own appointments, until a plan is developed.
He is not alone.
“We have been discussing internally, just trying to take the news to everyone, just because it happened [Friday], “Eleanore Knauss, a spokesman for Merchant and Lucille, said.” Just register with the state, register with walgreens if you can or with any kind of pharmacy, but we will make a lot of effort to get our team vaccinated as soon as possible. “
Knauss says they just had a COVID-19 scare that made them close, and it was earlier this week.
Now she hopes the vaccine will add an extra layer of protection to prevent it from happening again.
“Honestly, everyone was thrilled and relieved,” said Knauss.
And Murillo is excited to be busy again.
“I think it’s now a good thing to move on to the next step and get customers to come back through the doors,” he said.
MADISON (WKOW) – Restaurant workers are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
Check out all of our COVID-19 vaccine coverage here.
The state Department of Health Services (DHS) updated its website to reflect that restaurant workers are immediately eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the food supply chain group.
A DHS spokesman confirmed that the change was made on the website on Friday and said the decision was in response to an increase in the supply of vaccines.
To find out how to schedule a vaccine appointment in Wisconsin, click here.