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Browning addresses health order enforcement

Boone County’s health director says she wants to see more progress on local coronavirus numbers before relaxing business restrictions more.

Stephanie Browning told the city council on Monday night she had a good meeting with downtown business owners last week. They argued to stretch closing time to midnight, since young people would just party in less-controlled settings anyway. The order right now only allows bars to be open until 10:30 p.m. Browning says it would be premature to allow those businesses to stay open later.

Officials have gone with the “stick” instead of the “carrot” for a couple bars violating Columbia’s health order, Room 38 and Nash Vegas. Browning says lots of businesses are doing the right things, but people in that community tell her some are not operating in good faith.

“When we issue a notice of violation, which is our process prior to this, it’s going to take some time to court. If we suspend a permit, we’re going to get their attention, and we’re going to hopefully get better compliance right away.”

The current Boone County health order is in effect until Oct. 6, unless Browning changes it first.

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