And many chain restaurants already have such policies, Holmes said.

The local proposal follows a national model, with some exceptions. The committee that developed the Lincoln policy eliminated a few of the rules, ones that created the most controversy in other communities.

Bartenders still will be allowed to garnish drinks with their bare hands. Including bartenders in the ban was controversial in other states.

This compromise was acceptable, said Holmes.

"In the bigger picture, the vast majority of outbreaks are related to food," he said. "I’m not saying there has never been an outbreak from a bar situation, but percentage-wise it would be very small.”

Eating establishments will also be able to opt out of the stricter, no-bare-hands rules without going through a rigorous exemption process and without a lot of paperwork.

Holmes doesn’t expect a lot of restaurants will opt out, and those that do likely will opt out for certain employees and certain food processes only.

Some sushi chefs, for example, make delicate types of dishes they believe need to be handled with bare hands, he said.