Florida bar shuts down two days after re-opening because of coronavirus
A popular Florida bar is shutting down two days after re-opening because of a surge in coronavirus cases.
According to the Sun Sentinel, Wharf Fort Lauderdale is closing again after re-opening on Friday because it does not want to follow county health protocols.
“Unfortunately, due to the statewide spike in cases and local regulations, we will be temporarily shutting down,” the bar wrote on Instagram. “We will reopen when we are able to provide the proper experience for you at our beautiful outdoor venue.”
The bar drew a large crowd Friday and Saturday after re-opening and many patrons were seen without masks and not practicing social distancing, leading to fears of a super-spreader event.
County officials cited the bar three different times on Saturday for not having a plexiglass divider at the physical bar and customers not wearing masks.
Broward County officials had asked the bar to shut down for 24 hours to get into coronavirus compliance (have customers wear masks), but the bar decided to shut down indefinitely.
“If they’re not making patrons wear masks, they’re leaving us no option other than to shut them down,” Broward Mayor Steve Geller said on Sunday. “Our goal is not to shut down businesses. It’s to get compliance. If we have to shut down businesses that are intentionally violating our laws, maybe that will send a message. They have to obey our orders for the safety of the public.”
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