US Vice President Pence visits crowded restaurant without wearing mask

US Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited a crowded restaurant without wearing masks to highlight efforts to allow restaurants in the state to begin reopening for limited, in-person service.

Pence did not shake hands with anyone but it did not appear that there was always six feet of distance between him and the people he greeted.

They two men sat down at a table, with other patrons seated at tables nearby.

According to the Vice President’s spokesman Devin O’Malley, patrons and staff at the restaurant were given temperature checks and questioned about whether they had any symptoms prior to the vice president’s visit but were not given tests.

Steele told Pence that the restaurant is operating a 50 per cent seating capacity indoors in keeping with the state’s guidelines for a phased reopening.

Steele said the restaurant is excited to be reopening its doors to in-person customers after weeks of service that was limited to takeout.