Cafe Aion first Boulder County enterprise to implement vaccine proof necessities – Longmont Instances-Name

As the bright summer days and warm summer nights begin to fade, Cafe Aion is planning for the future when the outdoor terrace can no longer be used and the guests have to move into the house.

In the next few weeks, the restaurant plans to implement a protocol in which guests who want to dine indoors would like to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

“We stand for a change from summer happiness,” said Dakota Soifer, owner and head chef of the Boulder restaurant. “This is an opportunity for us to take a small step to be proactive rather than reactive. Hopefully this will help make the difference in a complete shutdown and complete loss of business and further loss of life. “

Sous Chef Isobel Carey, left, and Executive Chef Austen Vasquez scrape corn on the cob at Cafe Aion in Boulder, Colorado, Friday, July 30, 2021. (Timothy Hurst / Staff Photographer)

In the past few weeks, new COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and deaths from the Delta variant have increased. In Boulder County, cases are steadily increasing.

The June 20 data showed 16 cases of Delta variants in Boulder County, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health. There were 105 cases of delta variants on Friday. The state’s data are about a week behind, according to previous reports.

John Tayer, President and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, said Cafe Aion was the first bouldering company he’d heard of to develop such a policy.

“We are all watching reports of increased infection rates with caution and can only continue to urge the public to get vaccinated, which we know is the best way to combat this disease and help us all maintain our economic viability .” he said.

Soifer said all of his employees had been vaccinated. He doesn’t ask them to wear masks when they work.

Over the next two weeks, Soifer said he will work with staff to determine how vaccine requirements work and whether he will allow unvaccinated guests to dine indoors if they only expose themselves to eat or drink.

“I hope the city steps in with guidance too, as I would prefer to break away from the front line to find out, but I’m not entirely sure these calls are being made in the most up-to-date fashion,” he said .

This new rule will not only be implemented to protect yourself or your employees, said Soifer. It’s for everyone and he hopes more companies look into it too.

“I know it won’t do much on its own, but I hope that if we show we’re ready to take that first step, maybe we can share what we’ve learned,” he said. “

Kevin Daly, co-owner of Mountain Sun Pubs & Breweries, said he fully supports Cafe Aion’s decision.

“I think we should do everything we can to stop this virus,” he said. “I think what they’re doing is brilliant and I wish we had the balls.”

Daly said he required all unvaccinated workers to wear masks and had not implemented a vaccination mandate for employees but could look into it.

“I’m sad that we will probably go back because of people’s stupidity,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to protect our employees and our customers.”