Order targets restaurant for breaking COVID mitigation rules

A state court has issued a temporary restraining order against Firehouse BBQ restaurant in Denham Springs for its excessive non-compliance of his Phase Two mitigation measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 throughout Louisiana, the Governor’s Office said.
The order prohibits the restaurant from operating in violation of an emergency order suspending their permit for violations of the Governor’s mask mandate.
“Defiance of the order to help keep the people of our state safe by this establishment is extremely reckless and irresponsible,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards in a press release.
The Louisiana Department of Health prioritizes education over such enforcement actions and that has largely worked in the response against COVID-19.
LDH and the State Fire Marshal received complaints on July 21 and July 22 indicating that the restaurant had posted notices on its front door and on social media saying it was not requiring the wearing of masks or face coverings by employees or customers.
An LDH inspection on July 27 confirmed the presence of the described front door sign and that Firehouse BBQ was not requiring employees or customers to wear masks or face coverings.
Upon completion of the inspection and receipt of the inspection report, the owner of Firehouse BBQ made it clear the restaurant would not be complying with the governor’s proclamations.
After giving the restaurant several opportunities to comply with the governor’s order, in the interest of the public’s health, on July 31 LDH ordered the restaurant to close immediately.

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