Local News

Durham bar issued warning over violation of Gov. Roy Cooper's executive order​

The NCDHHS has gotten involved with a local Durham bar reportedly not following pandemic restrictions.

Posted Updated

By
Sarah Kreuger
, WRAL Durham reporter
DURHAM, N.C. — A week ago on April 15, WRAL News reported complaints from Duke students that a local night club wasn't following pandemic restrictions.

A video reportedly taken inside the bar was described by one student as "viscerally upsetting."

Another, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene, saying, "It looked just like it was before the pandemic. There were hundreds of students in there, unmasked, not socially distancing. People were having trouble keeping their balance because they were so packed together."

Four days later, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services got involved, sending a letter to Shooters' owner Kim Cates on April 19.

In the letter, officials detail the same concerns reported by WRAL News last week.

The letter says NCDHHS became aware of complaints regarding masks, social distancing and capacity.

It warns that the packed dance floor shown in the video is in violation of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order, saying Shooters is supposed to be operating as "a seated establishment for guests."

NCDHHS told Shooters it plans to continue monitoring the bar for compliance, writing, "Continued failure to cooperate and abide by the restrictions in the Executive Order may result in further actions such as an issuance of an imminent hazard abatement order."

That could result in misdemeanor charges or a court order requiring Shooters to stop certain activities.

In a statement, Shooters' attorney said the bar "has not only met state and local requirements but also exceeded them."

"I am not aware of any bar in Durham that does more to ensure the safety of its patrons than Shooters," said the attorney.

The state's letter also says that Shooters must sign a form agreeing to come into compliance – and that must be done within seven days.

The state said that since October 2020, they have sent out 65 letters similar to the one sent to Shooters – about nine a month – statewide.

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