Boone County health department cites school, bars with COVID-19 violations

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County health officials served COVID-19 health order violation notices to a school and two bars over the weekend.

Father Tolton Catholic High School, Room 38 and Nash Vegas were cited for violating the local health order, which requires masks and social distancing in bars and that plans be submitted for public events.

Scott Clardy, the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services assistant director, says the department wants to keep the community safe.

"Generally the reaction for the most part is positive, they want to do things the right way, but not everybody does," Clardy said.

The health department sent Tolton a violation notice on Friday for a cross country event it held on Sept. 12 without an operational plan.

"We have to make them aware that it's a requirement of the public health order and that their event falls under that public health order and we go from there," Clardy said. "They either turn in a plan or they don't and if necessary we take necessary enforcement action against them."

Tolton officials said an email calling for the tournament to be canceled came after the school had closed for the day and the school not have time to notify the schools of the cancellation.

Nash Vegas had its operating permit suspended Friday after inspectors said the bar violated the public health order.

Clardy confirmed the health department suspended the permit for several violations including standing bar service, lack of social distancing and groups intermingling.

Room 38 had its operating permit suspended on Saturday for similar circumstances.

The health department also issued Room 38 a violation notice on Sunday for operating without a permit.

The violation says patrons were not social distancing at the bar, which resulted in operations being suspended.

The current health order states standing at a bar, counter or buffet is not allowed.

Billy Giordano, the Room 38 owner, says they submitted security camera videos and an appeal for reinstatement, but have yet to receive a response from the health department.

"I understand compliance checks, but a suspension of our operating permit on a Saturday when no one's available to discuss the circumstances until Monday, especially in this instance, is unjustifiable and once again, feels a lot like targeting," Giordano said.

The businesses will need to submit an operation plan and have it approved by the health department before its permit will be reinstated.

The health department has had 144 plans submitted since Aug. 13, when they started tracking them.