Columbia event space cited by the health department for COVID-19 order violations

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Health inspectors on Saturday cited a Columbia event venue with several COVID-19 health order violations after a photo was sent showing people not wearing masks or socially distancing.

According to the violation notice, the Atrium, 22 N. 10th St., was hosting an event and several patrons were not wearing masks.

In a notice of violation against The Atrium, Columbia/Boone County Health Department inspectors said the person in charge, Travis Tucker, told them he was not the "mask police" and that the department had "single handedly ruined" Columbia business.

According to the violation notices, the Atrium was not making sure its customers were wearing a mask or that people were meeting social distancing requirements and did not have an operational plan on file to accommodate the number of people in the building.

The owners did not reply to several messages seeking comment.