Enforcement, nightlife compliance under scrutiny as Marion County rolls out new restrictions
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Countywide pandemic restrictions announced Friday may not be effective at curbing the spread of coronavirus if nightlife venues continue flouting public health mandates.
Several bar and tavern owners in downtown Indianapolis have neglected local capacity limits, according to competitors and patrons, and are unlikely to abide by Marion County’s new restrictions while neighboring counties advance to Stage 5 of the governor’s reopening plan.
At least two businesses have exceeded pre-pandemic occupancy limits set by the fire marshal, said Ryan Greb, owner of downtown tavern Taps and Dolls.
None of the establishments named by Greb and downtown patrons have been fined by the county health department.
Officials were unable to provide an updated tally of local bar and restaurant citations but said they had issued “a number of $1,000 fines.”
Greb said following the county’s pandemic restrictions cost him at least $80,000 a month in revenue.
“I have 70 staff members that have been out of work, too,” he told News 8. “We’ve asked for a seat at the table to talk to (city and county officials) about this but it falls upon deaf ears.”
The county’s distancing requirement for live entertainment also raised new questions about enforcement and effectiveness.
Restaurants, bars, clubs, music venues and other businesses may offer live entertainment beginning Monday but performers must maintain at least 10 feet of distance from audience members.
“I think putting a 10-foot barrier inside of a bar or nightclub is difficult … once the music gets playing loud and people start dancing,” Greb told News 8. “Oh, I’m sorry. They can’t dance; they can ‘sway heavily’ as I say it now. You’re welcome to come in and sway heavily.”
Mitch Hippenmeyer, an Indianapolis resident, said several hot spots on the downtown bar scene were “back to how it was pre-corona” despite distancing guidelines and capacity limits.
“I guess, what’s really the point of going out if you’re going to be social distancing?” he asked.
Ryan Bergman, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, questioned the point of bar hopping during a global pandemic and urged Hoosiers to consider how their actions could impact loved ones.
He said his uncle hunkered down at home and “did everything right” but still fell ill. He spent weeks battling COVID-19 in an intensive care unit.
His family suspected he contracted the virus from an asymptomatic grandchild.
“He’s one of the lucky ones who made it out,” Bergman told News 8. “I see way too many people that think it’s like a hoax.”