COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Investigative Unit cited three more area bars overnight for various violations of the state's health orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
All are accused of disorderly activity, and agents claim to have caught the establishments breaking the rules Friday night and early Saturday morning. The allegations are as follows:
- Mulligan's Restaurant & Pub, Canton - Officials say multiple employees were seen without face masks around 7:15 p.m., despite the pub being warned multiple times by the local health department about doing so.
- Game On Lakewood - The bar committed "egregious" violations, according to authorities. Roughly 125 customers were seen "closely congregated throughout the premises" around 11 p.m., with some standing or handing around the bar with no social distancing measures in place. Many were not wearing face masks, along with some staff members.
- Restaurant Europa, Pepper Pike - When agents arrived around 1 a.m., they say they found about 150 people congregating throughout the restaurant. Many were dancing or standing while drinking alcohol, while others were seated at the bar without any barriers in place. Others, along with some staff, were not wearing face masks.
The cases against each of the bars now go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, with possible penalties including fines or even revocation of liquor licenses. Multiple Northeast Ohio bars have already received the latter sanction for similar violations, although Barley House in downtown Cleveland says it will appeal that decision.
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