The coronavirus already has substantially changed life for Llano business owners who have been adapting to statewide mandates that can change on a dime.

After the governor’s new executive order went into effect on July 3, Llano County residents now are required to wear a mask when in public spaces. The order applies to counties with at least 20 COVID-19 cases, which includes Llano County.

As of July 2, the county’s health authority reported 42 cases countywide, including 9 people who have recovered.

The county reported 27 COVID-19 cases at the end of June, indicating that Llano County is not immune to the surge of cases statewide and across the nation.

According to Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-29, “Every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household,” with exceptions for children younger than 10 years old and people with health conditions that preclude the wearing of a mask, among other exceptions.

GA-29 also amends Executive Order GA-28, so that now gatherings of only 10 people are allowed, as opposed to 100.

Closing again

Although GA-29 might be annoying to some folks, it’s the previous order, GA-28, that has most affected Llano County businesses because it closed bars and limited the occupancy of restaurants to 50 percent.

However, it was no big surprise to county leaders.

“When Governor Abbott issued the disaster proclamation on March 13 for all 254 counties, we realized we were entering unchartered territory of a public health crisis,” said Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham. “I was concerned that many Texans thought that with the slowing numbers of daily positive cases, combined with the Texas heat and humidity, the Lone Star State wasn’t going to fall victim to the numbers of positive cases per capita that we saw in the northeastern states. This false sense of security in some areas led many to believe it was safe to return to the social activity we enjoyed prior to March.”

Cunningham said that the order, which went into effect on June 26, affects more than bars and restaurants.

“It impacts our businesses, churches, volunteer groups, as well as our city, county, and state governments,” he said. “These are uncertain times and require difficult decisions about not only long-term plans in the fall and winter, but even how to plan for the next two months. A large portion of our county is involved in the hospitality industry and I don’t think anyone has all the answers needed to conclusively make long-term plans into the fall.”

The county judge has been staying busy meeting with business, school and city leaders.

“Everyone I’ve spoken with understands this public health emergency is serious and they don’t want to jeopardize their business; but most of all, they don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s health and safety.”

‘We will make it’

One of the City of Llano’s iconic bars is in survival mode during difficult times, but the owner sees a robust future for his establishment.

“Joe’s will survive,” said Mike Virdell, owner of Joe’s Bar and Grill on Main Street. “I have the best employees any business could ever have, so we’ll make it, somehow. Every day is a challenge, but Joe’s is up to the task. We will make it.”

Virdell said Joe’s has had to close twice, which impacted his nine full-time employees.

“They depend on a weekly paycheck, and they’re scared because many have families and kids, car payments, rent, mortgages, insurance, groceries…”

Even with some income from the restaurant and ice cream shop, employees are missing much of their tip money.

“Operating with only half a business also means there are fewer hours for everyone.”

But like all businesses, Joe’s has adapted. They opened the Llano River Creamery and Kitchen next door to sell ice cream and to operate as a restaurant--at 50 percent occupancy--thanks to the newly-built kitchen.

“The kitchen is carrying the financial load.”

Dealing with the governor’s decisions has been difficult.

“After the last shutdown, the governor recognized that small bars and businesses operated differently from bars in bigger cities, and we were able to open back up,” Virdell said. “Being lumped into the same vat as a bar in Austin is unfair.”

Virdell said that customers call every day.

“They miss the friendships, camaraderie, connecting with buddies,” he said. “I miss seeing all the families and kids. One time I counted 15 kids running around everywhere.”

He continues to be thankful for customers’ support.

“I hope all bar owners hang on. All restaurants need as much local business as people in Llano and Llano County can afford,” Virdell said. “This is rough on everyone.”