Midland Restaurant Requiring Employees to Vaccinate Against Covid-19

MIDLAND, TX – As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in Texas, a Midland restaurant owner will now require her employees to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

According to the owner of the Hand Café, Kate Wolbert, employees will be offered monetary compensation to get vaccinated.

“Just in our little community here all of my staff is vaccinated and we offered an incentive that if everyone onboard got vaccinated then they would get a cash incentive and the same way in my husband’s main business, so that is great and it gives my staff a really great feeling," said Wolbert. "They don’t have to wonder if their coworker is or isn’t vaccinated."

According to Wolbert, one employee quit as a result of the new rules being implemented.

"We did lose an employee unfortunately and this person knows that they’re welcome back anytime and in keeping with the complications of everything going on right now," said Wolbert. "It’s not my thinking that I should force my beliefs on anyone. It is a private business so I’m able to require it of my staff, but I’m not going to force my beliefs. I’m going to encourage education."

Beginning Monday, August 23rd the restaurant will require all patrons to wear a mask if they wish to place an order.

"It’s something that is polarizing if we let it be but we don’t have to let it be," said Wolbert. "We can look at vaccination and look at the protocols that businesses are taking and people are taking, individuals, as a way to extend our love for our community and take the efforts that we need to do to take care of each other in a pandemic."