Springfield officials are warning bars that if they don’t comply with coronavirus prevention rules—especially now that college students have returned to town—they risk being ticketed.
Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said Friday, August 21 most people seem to be observing the mask ordinance and are trying to socially distance—but long lines at bars are troubling officials.
Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said the police department hadn’t issued any citations to bars as of Friday. Officers had inspected a dozen establishments—and the two that were not in compliance changed their procedures without being ticketed, Williams said.
“Moving forward, my hope is still that we can focus on education and compliance, but, rest assured, we do have that option of writing tickets and doing enforcement,” he added.
The police chief stressed he doesn’t want to emphasize punishment, because it might drive young people from bars to house parties, which don’t have masking or occupancy restrictions.
