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Columbus Public Health refers bar distancing violations to prosecutor as DeWine vows enforcement

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&nbsp;Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says “we’re going to do whatever we have to do” to enforce coronavirus social distancing and other precautions if bars and restaurants don’t restrain crowds.Jake Tapper, host of CNN's "State of the Union," on Sunday morning showed DeWine photos of the packed Standard Hall patio in the Short North on Friday night and asked if he was concerned."Absolutely .. we had people there last night. The good news is that the ownership, the people running the bar, seemed to get control of it last night. We didn't have to issue any citation. We did issue a citation for another bar in Columbus,“ DeWine said.Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine reacts to photographs of crowded bars in his state: "Candidly, we've worked with the attorney general ... and we're going to do what we have to do if these things in fact occur across Ohio" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/D5nLSKPzQn— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 17, 2020However, Columbus Public Health spokeswoman Kelli Newman said -- after DeWine spoke -- that officials continually monitored Standard Hall on Saturday and issued repeated warnings about overcrowding.The health department now has referred a complaint to City Attorney Zach Klein for investigation of possible action against the restaurant-bar, Newman said.She also said a virus-precautions warning violation was issued to Saturday to Ugly Tuna on Chittenden Avenue.DeWine said on CNN that the state would not tolerate business violations of state requirements to restrain the spread of COVID-19 as the state reopens.“Candidly, we've worked with the attorney general, David Yost, and we're going to do whatever we have to do if these things ... in fact do occur across Ohio."Ultimately it is going to come to Ohioans doing what Ohioans have done for the last two months, and that is, by and large , done exactly what they should do,“ DeWine said of six-foot social distancing and wearing face masks.After a large crowd packed the patio of Standard Hall on Friday evening, DeWine’s office also warned the state will enforce its coronavirus precaution guidelines against “irresponsible” offenders.The Friday gathering at Standard Hall, 1100 N. High St., prompted Columbus Public Health to issue a warning to the establishment, where most did not appear to be wearing masks or practicing six-foot social distancing.The governor’s office did not mention Standard Hall in issuing a statement Saturday afternoon. But, it noted, “anecdotes are being distributed across the state about establishments that opened and allegedly ignored safety guidelines.”DeWine press secretary Dan Tierney said: “Those who operate their businesses while disregarding safety guidelines, designed to protect the health of their customers and all Ohioans, are being irresponsible and need to understand that these guidelines will be enforced.”Tierney noted that most Ohio bars and restaurants permitted to offer outside dining and drinks beginning Friday did “their part to follow best practices to keep patrons safe and socially distanced.”“Ohio was able to responsibly reopen businesses quickly due to the fact that Ohioans have widely followed the expert guidance to socially distance, practice proper sanitization and hygiene, and avoid unnecessary contact with others. Ohio is a success story for following these protocols,” Tierney said.Meanwhile, state health officials reported 520 additional confirmed and probable daily cases of coronavirus and 29 more deaths on Saturday, raising Ohio’s overall numbers to 27,474 cases and 1,610 COVID-19 fatalities.In monitoring compliance with virus precaution requirements, Columbus Public Health spokeswoman Newman said health officials did “drive-bys” of restaurants and bars offering outside service Friday evening.“We did receive complaints about Standard Hall and we went out there last night to investigate” and issued its operators a warning about non-compliance with virus precaution requirements, she said.“There were several issues that weren’t in compliance with the state’s mandate such as social distancing, no more than 10 people per table, and people need to be seated for food and drinks. Since they weren’t in compliance, we will go out again and investigate,” Newman said.“If they continue to not be in compliance, they will be referred to the city attorney’s office for a citation,” she said.In an email to its members Saturday evening, the Ohio Restaurant Association said: “Like everyone, we are concerned about reports of establishments acting inconsistently with reopening guidelines set forth by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. We believe these are isolated incidents and not reflective of our industry’s overall positive response to reopening safely.”Comment was being sought from Standard Hall. Its website stated outdoor tables were spaced six feet apart and no more than 10 people were allowed at each table and patrons are encouraged to wear masks.In a post on its Facebook page, Standard Hall wrote: "after a positive interaction with local police, fire, and health representatives, Standard Hall is implementing suggestions and guidance to ensure the continued safety of our guests/staff."Moving forward we will be asking customers to stay seated at their tables and be cognizant of the distance between themselves and other groups."Corso Ventures owns and operates Standard Hall, along with other restaurants. Chris Corso is a partner with the former Ohio State University head football coach in Urban Meyer’s Pint House in Dublin.The crowd at Standard Hall sparked cries of alarm on social media -- and appreciation from those who believe the coronavirus threat is overblown.Restaurants and bars are allowed to open for socially distanced dine-in service on Thursday.The 520 additional virus infections reported statewide on Saturday were below the average of 566 daily cases during the past three weeks and the 597 new infections reported Friday.Franklin County, the state’s most populated county that also has recorded the most cases, reported 90 new coronavirus infections to bring its case total to 4,420 with the pandemic in its third month.The county also reported 13 more deaths to surpass Cuyahoga County (163) for the second-most COVID-19 deaths in Ohio. Franklin County’s death toll of 169 now only trails the 203 recorded in Lucas County (Toledo).State officials are moving to ramp up testing and contact tracing as additional businesses are gradually allowed to reopen after being closed during stay-at-order orders to check the spread of the virus.The economic fallout cost nearly 1.2 million Ohioans their jobs, an unprecedented figure, in slightly more than two months.The Ohio Department of Veterans Services on Saturday announced the first virus cases in an Ohio Veterans Home. Eight residents of the Sandusky home have tested positive and are receiving care in quarantine, the department said. All are in stable condition.rludlow@dispatch.com@RandyLudlow

&nbsp;Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says “we’re going to do whatever we have to do” to enforce coronavirus social distancing and other precautions if bars and restaurants don’t restrain crowds.Jake Tapper, host of CNN's "State of the Union," on Sunday morning showed DeWine photos of the packed Standard Hall patio in the Short North on Friday night and asked if he was concerned."Absolutely .. we had people there last night. The good news is that the ownership, the people running the bar, seemed to get control of it last night. We didn't have to issue any citation. We did issue a citation for another...

Columbus Public Health refers bar distancing violations to prosecutor as DeWine vows enforcement

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