While some businesses announce mask requirements, others announce vaccine requirements

ROCHESTER, N.Y.(WHEC) — Over the weekend, Monroe County’s COVID-19 community transmission rate went from "moderate" to "substantial".

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that vaccinated people should go back to wearing masks indoors in areas of the country with "substantial" or "high" COVID-19 community transmission.

On Monday, Monroe County announced it was once again recommending universal indoor masking.

The owner at Lux Bar says it’s getting harder and harder to simply run a business with all the COVID-19 factors still in play. She said starting Friday only vaccinated people are allowed inside.

"Going into this I was nervous and out loud I said you know what I’ll take the bumps I’ll take the hits or whatever comes our way because I know I’m doing the right thing,” Karrie Laughton said.

Laughton took to the bar’s social media site with an explanation, part of the Facebook post said, “We have worked so hard (along with so many other bars and restaurants) to keep our doors open, but we are not willing to sacrifice the safety of our patrons for a few extra dollars in our till."

"If we are a vaccinated-only establishment then they don’t have to wear a mask. It will be more comfortable and more fun I’m really hoping that’s the way it goes,” Laughton added.

Radio Social said it will be doing the same come September when they open. Both owners say you’ll need your vaccination card or the excelsior pass which you can have as an app on your phone, and an ID.

"The reality is that even if it ends, the virus will be here forever and so we’re making changes, we’re progressing with the understanding better data, better science and how to react to it,” Dan Morgenstern said, the owner managing partner with Radio Social.

While some are soon to require a vaccine as a ticket in, places like the Rochester Museum and Science Center is requiring staff to mask up and strongly encouraging visitors to do the same.

"The delta variant is guiding our path is where I think that we are and although we have done such great work, it’s obvious that we have more work to do,” Lisa Ireland said, the institutional advancement VP for RMSC.

Both Lux and Radio Social say they will be keeping their vaccination protocols for the foreseeable future.