LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department notified two local bars and the Railyard Commons area Saturday that they were not allowed to operate for 24 hours because of their violations of the latest Health Measure. Direct “represented a risk to public health and contributed to the community dissemination of COVID-19”. LLCHD has ordered Iguanas Pub, 1426 “O” Street; Longwells, 350 Canopy Street; and the Railyard will be closed from 5 pm today until 5 pm on Sunday, July 26.
A mask mandate is included in the DHM that went into effect on Monday, July 20 and runs until August 31. It requires business owners to ensure that their clients age five and older wear face covers whenever they cannot keep six feet apart without household members. The DHM also requires companies to limit parts to eight or less; keep at least six feet of distance between customer tables; and to limit capacity. The Lincoln Municipal Code allows the Director of Health to order the closure of any business in order to control communicable diseases.
Information about the DHM and its requirements was available to bars on the City’s website and was reported through the local media. LLCHD also personally delivered letters to local establishments reminding them of the restrictions. LLCHD has received several reports alleging that certain bars were in violation. LLCHD also conducted inspections of bars and restaurants to ensure DHM compliance. Inspections performed Friday night and early Saturday morning
identified significant violations at the two bars and the Railyard.
LLCHD’s acting director of health, Pat López, said the bars closed only after attempts to educate and work with the establishments failed.
“The mask mandate and other restrictions were issued to curb the spread of the virus and help prevent further restrictions such as closing bars,” Lopez said. “We need these companies to work with us to prevent further spread of the virus and the need to issue further limitations in our business community.”
Moving the COVID-19 risk dial from low orange to mid-orange Friday, Lopez said the risk of transmission of the virus remains high, and much of the recent increase in cases is among younger adults. Since early July, 77 percent of new cases have been under the age of 40. While people ages 20-29 represent only 18.5 percent of our population, 53 percent of these new cases reported since July have been in that age group. She said several downtown bars continue to be identified as possible exhibition venues.
LLCHD said those who observe someone who does not wear a mask in public should stay six feet away from the person and should not call police emergency or non-emergency numbers. The public can file complaints about compliance through the UPLNK phone app or the City’s website, UPLNK.lincoln.ne.gov. Businesses with specific questions about the facial coverage requirement can call the Department of Health at 402-441-6280. More information about the mask command and exceptions is available at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov.
LLCHD said 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported today in Lancaster County, bringing the community total to 2,758. The number of deaths in the community remains at 14.
At “Orange Level “on the COVID19 risk dial, residents are encouraged to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:
- Stay home if possible.
- Stay at least six feet away from others.
- Wear facial coatings.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Those at risk for complications from COVID-19 should continue to minimize close contact with others.
For more information, including a dashboard summarizing Lancaster County COVID-19 data, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.
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