Name: Savannah businesses cited for violations of Gov. Kemp’s re-opening orders during Memorial Day weekend
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Savannah businesses cited for violations of Gov. Kemp’s re-opening orders during Memorial Day weekend

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DeAnn Komaneckydkomanecky@savannahnow.comView CommentsSome Savannah businesses were cited over the Memorial Day weekend for violations of the governor’s COVID-19-related executive order.Mayor Van Johnson said he went along with the Savannah Police Department’s alcohol beverage compliance team over the weekend to see how the state required social distancing guidelines were working.Several businesses were given warnings and two were given citations, Johnson said.Two Congress Street businesses, the Congress Street Social Club and B&amp;D Burgers, were issued citations, according to SPD spokesman Keturah Greene. Social Club received two citations and B&amp;D received one.The SPD issued warnings to six businesses. Businesses warned were Boomys on Congress Street, The Escape Company on Montgomery Street, Savannah Seafood Shack on Broughton Street, World of Beer on Broughton Street, Molly MacPherson’s on Congress Street, and PS Tavern on West Bay Street.Johnson said he was both disappointed and impressed at what he witnessed while with the ABC team.“It was like St. Patrick’s Day,” Johnson said of the crowds. “Some streets were impassable because of the people in them, some sidewalks were impassable.”Johnson said he was impressed with the professionalism of the ABC team. “Even when they (the team) were not treated with the same dignity and respect,” Johnson said. “It was a mess out there.”Johnson said many businesses were properly following the guidelines, while some were not.The mayor said he would guess 95% of people — including some employees of businesses visited — weren’t wearing face coverings.Both Johnson and Police Chief Roy Minter stressed community safety in conducting the business checks.“Our mission is to ensure the safety of our community members and those who choose to visit,” said Minter. “It is imperative that the businesses in our area continue to follow the appropriate guidelines to safeguard our community. With the amount of people we expected to visit establishments to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, we knew we had to take a hard stance to ensure their well-being.”The governor’s executive order states that restaurants should have no more than 10 people per 300 square feet of space. To calculate the square footage, restaurants must include waiting and bar areas, including patios or outdoor dining spaces. Restrooms, hallways and areas not open to the public are not included.In addition to an extensive list of cleaning and spacing requirements, the order also requires restaurants to enforce social distancing among those that don’t live together.Bars are not currently allowed to operate.Whether some of the businesses are more bar than restaurant is up for debate.City ordinances require 51% of sales at a business to come from food purchases to be considered a restaurant.“Just because you sell french fries doesn’t mean you are a restaurant,” Johnson said.Johnson said the city’s alcohol ordinances may need some work for clarity.If not extended, the governor’s order expires on Sunday, May 31, Johnson said.A spokesperson for The Social Club said they could not comment at this time and a call to The Escape Company was not returned by press time.View Comments

DeAnn Komaneckydkomanecky@savannahnow.comView CommentsSome Savannah businesses were cited over the Memorial Day weekend for violations of the governor’s COVID-19-related executive order.Mayor Van Johnson said he went along with the Savannah Police Department’s alcohol beverage compliance team over the weekend to see how the state required social distancing guidelines were working.Several businesses were given warnings and two were given citations, Johnson said.Two Congress Street businesses, the Congress Street Social Club and B&amp;D Burgers, were issued citations, according to SPD...

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DeAnn Komanecky

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Savannah businesses cited for violations of Gov. Kemp’s re-opening orders during Memorial Day weekend

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