State officials announced new restrictions on gatherings and restaurants last week following the most recent surges in COVID-19.
One Northern Michigan resort says they’re doing their best to roll with the punches.
The new restrictions lower indoor capacity at events without fixed seating from 500 to 50. They also imposed contact tracing requirements on restaurants.
Caroline Rizzo is with the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which has six dining establishments. She said since they are a resort many people who eat there are already registered - making the contact tracing requirement easier.
“The one thing that is nice is a lot of people make reservations or appointments to use a lot of our amenities. We have a lot of people’s information,” she said. “But we definitely have some areas where we get a lot of walk-ins. So just taking the time and making sure we have the steps in place to collect that information.”
According to Rizzo, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is the largest convention center in Northern Michigan. She said the biggest impact of the new requirements will be on indoor gatherings.
“Seeing the numbers go from 500 people to 50 people if you don’t have fixed seating in a venue that becomes a struggle for us,” she said.
Rizzo said the resort has a lot of meeting space and she thinks the lower numbers might scare off potential attendees.
She said the resort has done surprisingly well during the pandemic. According to Rizzo, the resort’s golf courses had one of the best seasons they’ve ever had.