Gastonia Times

A Gastonia event venue operator wants answers from Gov. Roy Cooper as to why his spaces are not yet allowed to reopen, according to local reports.

Homesteads Events owner Byron Sackett said his spaces that are commonly rented for weddings and other large gatherings have been sitting empty for months, WBTV reported on May 26. 

Even though North Carolina is in its second phase of reopening, large gatherings have not been given the green light, WBTV reported. Current guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services does not restrict the number of people allowed at a ceremony but does place mass gathering restrictions on receptions.

“We know that we can operate safely. We know that we can operate safer than 95 percent of the businesses that have been open the entire time and the ones that have just come open in the past week,” Sackett told WBTV.

Sackett believes his spaces are large enough to allow for proper social distancing, WBTV reported. He also said he has stocked up on masks and gloves so that all guests can have access to the protective items once they enter a venue.

Sackett said some of his customers are going to South Carolina where there is a 50% capacity restriction on mass gatherings, WBTV reported.