In a little over a week, the state’s new targeted health measure will go into effect, making some large gatherings possible.
Called “Phase 2,” it increases the social gathering rules from 10 to 25 people, or 25% of the capacity of a venue, whichever is greater.
The new DHM is a welcome change of pace for wedding venues, but wedding DJs say they are still left out.
Joe Cruz usually puts on dozens of weddings each year.
“I live as a host and I love making people have a good time,” said Cruz, who owns Joe Cruz DJ Services. “Well, if I can somehow, I’ll take it.”
Since the first DHM went into effect in March, the wedding industry, including DJs, has been a hit.
“From April to September, I’ve postponed ten weddings and canceled four entirely,” said Cruz.
Wedding venues can open up to 50% capacity under the new DHM, so Cruz said he thought this could mean he could get back in business too.
“As my motto says, ‘Never turn it off.’ We’re just distancing ourselves a little and maybe putting on a mask, “Cruz said.
At Friday’s daily press conference, Governor Pete Ricketts made it clear why certain dances are allowed and others are not.
“We allow dances. So if you’re dancing on a stage, that’s fine, but you’ve all been to weddings,” Ricketts said. “They know that dancing on a dance floor is close contact. It’s not the same, so dancing at weddings is still not allowed.”
Cruz said he understood the reasoning but was still frustrated that he couldn’t get back to work.
“I’m just saying, ‘You can have your reception but you can’t dance.’ It sounds like we’re in the middle of Footloose and we need Kevin Bacon to save us,” said Cruz.
Now all he can do is sit and wait. That is the hardest part.
“Not knowing when to release the dogs and get back to normal is probably what kills me the most,” said Cruz.
Cruz said he doesn’t expect to be back in full operation for at least the next six months.