Cops won’t force Bradenton bars to close because of coronavirus, sheriff says
Law enforcement won’t be enforcing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order that bars and nightclubs closed for the next month because of the novel coronavirus.
But if bars sell alcohol while DeSantis’s order is in effect, they could lose their liquor licenses.
On Tuesday, DeSantis announced during a press conference that he was ordering all bars and nightclubs to shutdown beginning at 5 p.m. that day and for them to remain closed for at least 30 days. But the language of the executive order was unclear on how or whether sheriff’s offices and police departments would enforce the closures.
The order calls for all bars and nightclubs whose liquor sales make up more than 50 percent of their gross profits to stop selling alcohol.
On Wednesday afternoon, sheriffs across the state got clarification from DeSantis during a phone conference.
“They are not required to lock their doors and shut down,” Sheriff Rick Wells told the Bradenton Herald afterward. “They are required, as of 5 p.m. yesterday, to stop serving alcohol.”
Any bar or nightclubs that remain open will be subject to the same rules imposed on restaurants: They must operate at a maximum of 50 percent of their capacity, keep a distance of six feet between groups and allow no more than 10 people in any group.
Law enforcement will be required to report any violations to Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The business will then face possible revocation of their license.
Members of the public are asked to report violations.
Violations can be reported to the Florida Department of Business and Regulations, which oversees the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, by calling 850-487-1395.
