Two Well-Known Aquidneck Island Restaurants Hit With Latest State Compliance Orders

Two Well-Known Aquidneck Island Restaurants Hit With Latest State Compliance Orders

Two of Aquidneck Island's best-known restaurants were cited by the State of Rhode Island with non-compliance orders relating to the coronavirus.

Earlier on Wednesday, GoLocal reported that the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced that the agency has issued compliance orders to ten restaurants and bars so far this week for failing to comply with a range of public health directives related to COVID-19. Additional compliance orders may be issued.

Previously, the state had only issued 13 previously, to a combination of restaurants, stores, and doctor's offices. 

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The two additional citations came following the RIDOH announcement -- meaning the state in one day nearly double its previous compliance orders. 

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The Wharf Pub on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport was cited for Combination Compliance Order and Immediate Compliance Orders.

The following violations stem from the July 24, 2020 reinspection: I. Respondent is in violation of Sections 7.4.1(A)(6) and (7) of the Safe Regulations, which require each covered entity to ensure the performance of environmental cleaning of their establishments once per day, to clean commonly touched surfaces, such as shared workstations, elevator buttons, door handles, and railings in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) guidance, and to maintain records documenting such environmental cleaning. Upon request, the Respondent was unable to produce any records documenting such cleaning.

II. Respondent is in violation of Section 7.4.1(A)(4) of the Safe Regulations, which requires each covered entity to ensure the placement of posters or signs at entry to its establishments educating any individual at the establishment concerning entry screening, required social distancing, use of cloth face coverings, and other subjects as provided in guidance issued by the Department. The inspectors observed that although several posters were properly displayed, not all required posters were present. Missing was the poster that describes the symptoms of COVID -19.

III. Respondent is in violation of Section 7.4.2(A)(6) of the Safe Regulations, which requires that: a. when parties are seated at the bar, no staff are permitted to work in any areas behind the bar and all work areas behind the bar unless a physical, non-porous barrier (i.e., plexiglass) of appropriate height is installed between the bar work areas and customers; and b. even with physical barriers between bar work areas and customers, staff may only serve seated customers drinks and food through a gap or opening in the barrier that is no more than eight (8) inches in size; and, c. working bar areas (e.g. drink making stations or glassware storage) must be located at least six (6) feet from these gaps. Drinks and/or food may not be passed to customers under, over, or around such barrier by staff behind the bar. The inspector observed that the Respondent maintained two separate bar areas, one indoor and one outdoor. In both bar areas, the only physical non-porous barrier measured approximately 2 feet by 3 feet and was located at the register. The inspector further observed bar staff working in areas behind the bar while serving customers who were seated at the bar, despite the lack of a physical barrier.

 

And, Portsmouth Publick House was also cited for Combination Compliance Order and Immediate Compliance Orders.

VIOLATIONS The following violations stem from the July 24, 2020 reinspection:

I. Respondent is in violation of Section 7.4.1(A)(4) of the Safe Regulations, which requires each covered entity to ensure the placement of posters or signs at entry to its establishments educating any individual at the establishment concerning entry screening, required social distancing, use of cloth face coverings, and other subjects as provided in guidance issued by the Department. The inspectors observed that although several posters were properly displayed, not all required posters were present. Missing was the poster that describes the symptoms of COVID -19.

II. Respondent is in violation of Section 7.4.2(A)(6) of the Safe Regulations, which requires that: a. when parties are seated at the bar, no staff are permitted to work in any areas behind the bar and all work areas behind the bar unless a physical, non-porous barrier (i.e., plexiglass) of appropriate height is installed between the bar work areas and customers; and Page 4 of 5 b. even with physical barriers between bar work areas and customers, staff may only serve seated customers drinks and food through a gap or opening in the barrier that is no more than eight (8) inches in size; and, c. working bar areas (e.g. drink-making stations or glassware storage) must be located at least six (6) feet from these gaps. Drinks and/or food may not be passed to customers under, over, or around such barrier by staff behind the bar. The inspector observed that although a physical barrier was present between work areas and customers, the barrier was not in compliance with the Safe Regulation because the barrier was non-continuous due to gaps between sheets. The inspector also noted that at the sushi bar, the physical barrier did not adequately separate the service area from the customer due to gaps in the bottom of the barrier.

This story was first published 7/29/20 7:56 PM