Business owners speak out about new OLCC masking enforcement rule

Business owners speak out about new OLCC masking enforcement rule

Spread of the virus.

The oregon liquor control commission is now telling businesses with an alcohol license --- to enforce social distancing and masking --- or they could face some*serious consequences...incl uding a license*suspension.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke to local businesses today to find out how*they feel about the new restrictions.

The oregon liquor control commission has cracked down on the coronavirus rule breakers even harder, after a temporary ruling was approved friday& this requires businesses to follow the governor's guidelines about face mask use and social distancing.

Jeffrey: "in the long run, it's for the better so if you can't do that and you're putting people at risk, then i guess you probably deserve to get your license revoked in my opinion."

While olcc could previously only forward rule breakers to oregon osha--ruling now allows them to punish businesses who are*blatantly not complying...with the suspension of their alcohol license.

And they say 27 licensees have already been bad enough to refer to osha.

Bridge: i spoke to one owner who tells me the olcc is putting way too much pressure on businesses to enforce the rules.

He believes more education needs to be given out so that people are more aware of what's allowed and what isn't.

Chris: "who's going to determine what flagrant is and how bad it can be?"

He says there's too many grey areas.

Chris: "thats the latitude with the olcc employees that i hope that they all get to the same level so theyre not just going in and trying to close down bars or fine them or whatever the case may be."

He says the gridiron grill and taphouse is one of the busiest small bars in springfield.

And it's difficult to enforce, when multiple customers may violate the rules at some... chris: we got floor stickers, ceiling signs we got door stickers, entry way stickers, reminding, reminding, reminding..how much reminding and we still have people that do it."

Reporting in lane county, kennedy