The Ohio Investigative Unit cited Pawpurr’s Bar on Friday for violating orders put in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Pawpurr’s, 37 N. Court St., received a citation for disorderly activity, according to an OIU press release.
The citation was given after the Athens Police Department received a complaint about large crowds at the bar. When OIU agents entered Pawpurr’s, they saw about 40 people standing at the bar.
Some of them were drinking, but those waiting to purchase a drink were not wearing masks nor social distancing, according to the press release. OIU agents also saw people walking around with their drinks and mingling with other groups at tables.
OIU agents explained the violations and what must be done to ensure the bar has a safe environment.
The case will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalization, according to the press release. Penalties may include fines and the suspension or revocation of Pawpurr’s liquor permits.
“We see that most of the permit premises are following the precautions put in place to make their establishments safe and they are complying with the directives,” OIU Enforcement Commander Eric Wolf said in the release. “As agents continue to conduct compliance checks they take enforcement action when egregious violations like these are observed.”
