Citations issued to some Morgantown bars for not following COVID-19 guidelines

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration has cited a handful Morgantown bars for allegedly violating various COVID-19 guidelines.

According to the ABCA, its agents along with local police and the Monongalia County Health Department conducted COVID inspections at 17 bars last weekend and found violations at seven of them.

Monongalia County bars that only sell alcohol have been a ban since mid-July but those who served food were allowed to sell alcoholic drinks with the food. The ABCA said its teams found various violations at those establishments resulting in citations for lack of social distancing, not wearing face coverings, overcrowding and drinking alcohol without ordering or consuming food.

“This team found some common violations among several establishments,” Monongalia County Health Department Executive Director Dr. Lee Smith said in a news release. “Some citations were issued and we had the opportunity to go over guidance with these business owners so they could run their establishments more safely. We are all in this together and having rising numbers of COVID-19 will have a negative impact on us all.”

All but one of the citations issued were COVID-19 related, the ABCA said.

“During these uncertain and difficult times, the WVABCA recognizes the challenges and financial hardships placed on the food and beverage industry. It is critical we all pull together to defeat this global pandemic and reduce the spread of COVID-19. WVABCA licensed businesses are expected to do their part,” ABCA Commissioner Fred Wooten said.

The lifting of the bar ban previously announced by Gov. Jim Justice, impacting those establishments that just serve alcohol, took effect Monday.