Dooley's Pub ordered closed due to 'repeated' Covid health and safety violations
Olmsted County Public Health has ordered Dooley’s Pub, 225 1st Ave SW, closed for failure to comply with the state’s Covid-19 safety protocols.
On Friday, Public Health officials suspended the pub’s food and beverage license for at least 72 hours, citing “recent recurring imminent health and safety hazards” … “that directly place Dooley’s employees and patrons at increased risk to COVID-19 exposure.” Sheriff deputies were seen outside of the pub early Friday waiting to deliver a notice to the business.
Dooley’s had initially shut its doors in early July following an outbreak in which more than two dozen people, including six employees, tested positive for Covid-19. The business reopened on September 8 after consulting with the Public Health staff. Since then, however, officials say Dooley’s management has not been cooperative with their efforts.
“Our environmental staff have reached out to Dooley’s management to help them come into compliance and maintain compliance with no success,” said Public Health Director Graham Briggs. “We owe it to our residents and businesses who are complying with the Governor’s Executive Order, to not allow willful violators to disregard or endanger the health of their employees, neighbors, and community members.”
According to Public Health, a number of violations of the state order have been documented and observed at Dooley’s, including lack of physical distancing by staff and customers; lack of mask wearing by staff and customers; and failing to restrict the number of building occupants to 50 percent or less of the normal occupancy requirement.
Due to these repeated violations, Public Health is requiring a placard be placed on Dooley’s door until it can “demonstrate compliance and enforcement of its COVID-19 Preparedness Plan” as required by Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order for safely reopening businesses.
“Dooley’s management has received specific information about practices that need to change in order to comply with Stay Safe MN guidelines,” the announcement reads. “Once the 72-hour period is over and necessary adjustments are in place and enforced, Dooley’s will be allowed to reopen. OCPHS will continue to provide consultation to assure a safe reopening.”
Dooley’s operates out of the city-owned BioBusiness Center. Its current lease on the space runs through 2024.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
