COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol's Investigative Unit has cited three more local bars for violating state health orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
All of the alleged violations occurred within the last four days, with one business being cited for a third time. The establishments in question and their respective charges are as follows:
- The Electric Co. - Ontario: At 11:20 p.m. Thursday, agents claim to have found about 11 patrons drinking alcohol after curfew and saw several employees not wearing face masks. Citation issued for disorderly activity, the third such citation issued for the location since September.
- 44 Sharp - Atwater: Agents say they found approximately 15 people inside and drinking alcohol around 10:25 p.m. Saturday, with employees not wearing face masks. Citation issued for disorderly activity.
- The Velvet Dog - Cleveland: When agents entered the bar around 9 p.m. Saturday, they claim to have seen every seat at the bar occupied in violation of social distancing guidelines. Patrons were congregating inside and drinking alcohol while standing and without masks, and no barriers were in place. Citation issued for disorderly activity.
The cases now go before the Ohio Liquor Commission, where the bars could potentially face fines or have their liquor licenses suspended or revoked. Numerous Northeast Ohio bars have been fined since the rules were put in place over the summer, with two--Highland Tavern in Akron and Club Paradis in Cleveland--losing their licenses altogether.