Many local restaurants and bars are struggling to adjust to recent regulations put in place by local governments and authorities. This fall, Governor DeSantis lifted all COVID-19 restrictions that had been put in place for businesses, leading to bars and restaurants resuming their normal operations. This included customers congregating in indoor or outdoor spaces without the use of masks or social distancing guidelines. Although, each local government has the authority to put their own rules in place.
As the cases continued to rise, the City of Tampa decided to put these regulations back in place and start cracking down on those who violated them at the beginning of the new year. These rules include customers wearing masks at all times unless they are seated with food or drink, restricting the congregation around bars or dance floors, and tight regulations on the number of guests allowed at indoor seating areas.
Code enforcement along with TPD officers are visiting the bars and restaurants that are most likely known to be violating these guidelines and holding large congregations of individuals. If they come across any violations of these new regulations, the businesses will receive a citation. Businesses with two or more citations are facing a trial of the suspension of their liquor license if they continue to be noncompliant with the new rules.
There are three businesses in Tampa Bay that are being sent to trial- MacDinton’s Irish Pub, Tangra Nightclub, and Ybor Cigars Plus. They are required to go in front of city council members who ultimately have the final say over alcohol sales on the businesses’ premises.
Although these harsh regulations and fines are making it tougher for local businesses to get by during these hard times, Jane Castor, mayor of the City of Tampa, is doing what she thinks is right for Tampa in the long run and for the safety of all citizens. How do you think this will affect businesses and individuals?