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Allegheny Co. health inspectors shutting down more bars for violating COVID-19 rules

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Allegheny County health inspectors are shutting down more bars because they are violating coronavirus rules.

Hotties Martini and Cigar Bar is closed until further notice after breaking many violations.

According to Allegheny County Health Inspection report, the bar was serving alcohol without food and allowing direct bar service.

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Businesses down the road following the rules weren’t happy to hear this.

“It hurts my feelings because they feel they are above and beyond the laws,” said Mason Gordon, Riley’s Pour House general manager.

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We dug up the inspection report from last month. Turns out, this is the second time the bar broke similar rules.

Over in Larimer, the health department also shut down Greater Pittsburgh Social Club for a list of COVID-19 violations.

That includes operating as a night club with zero social distancing and no masks, and inside – inspectors wrote the capacity was “too many to count.”

The general manager of Riley’s Pour House said they’ve enforced the rules, gaining business for being safe but also losing business because some customers don’t want to follow guidelines.

“If you can’t follow the rules or you want to argue please go ahead and go somewhere else because I’d rather not have your business. I’d rather have safe business for those who appreciate that,” Gordon said.

The Department of Agriculture released data today related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement. Last week, the bureau of food safety performed more than 500 inspections but only six were issued formal warning letters.

After receiving a warning, businesses unwilling to make changes will be forced to pay a fine.

We tried contacting the businesses shut down by the health department but got no response.

Neighboring restaurants hope the owners choose to do the right thing and fix the violations.