Central Ohio restaurants optimistic CDC changes will boost business

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Central Ohio restaurant owners are hopeful the new masking guidelines will offer some relief into the summer months, especially as more people continue to get vaccinated.

Nile Woodson, owner of Hai Poke, said this is the kind of news that could bring more business to his restaurant.

Hai Poke has a small patio outside in the Short North, and relies heavily on business during the summer and other days with warm weather.

The new guidance from the CDC said if people are fully vaccinated, they can lose the mask for outdoor activities with vaccinated and unvaccinated people, including outdoor dining.

Woodson says it’s exciting the CDC made these changes, adding he see progress with vaccinations and that people can start to gather yet again.

“I see one side that people will feel more confident to come out, people that have been vaccinated and then I, like, the little voice in the back of my head wonders if people with take advantage of that that aren’t vaccinated,” Woodson said.