‘There Is No Playbook:’ Bars and Clubs Are Mighty Angry at Ducey

Club owners criticized by Gov. Ducey for lax social distancing enforcement say they’re doing everything they can to slow the spread.

Several Scottsdale bars and restaurants are pushing back at Gov. Doug Ducey after being labeled “bad actors” during a press briefing last week.

The comment came during an update on the state’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Ducey announced that several Scottsdale businesses had been shut down temporarily, claiming they disregarded health and safety protocols.

Ducey labeled eight Scottsdale establishments “bad actors” at a news conference Thursday. The admonishment came after city authorities and the state Department of Liquor Licenses and Control filed charges on Tuesday against Riot House, El Hefe, Bottled Blonde, International, Pattie’s, Casa Amigos, Hi-Fi and Maya Day and Night Club.

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Lissa Druss, a spokeswoman for Riot Hospitality Group, which manages El Hefe and Riot House, pushed back on the characterization as bad actors.

“Before the state reopened, we went through exhaustive efforts,” said Druss. “Actually going above and beyond the CDC guidelines and what was recommended to us by our licensing authorities.”

The tension between state leaders and businesses has been reflected in Ducey’s policymaking during COVID-19. The governor banned county and city leaders from establishing mask and distance requirements until one week ago; since then, Maricopa and other counties, as well as several cities, quickly implemented the rules. He encouraged citizens to continue their daily lives and for businesses to begin reopening once the stay-at-home order ended May 15. Videos have surfaced of packed bars and establishments since the reopening of the state.

Druss said the Riot Hospitality establishments were very proactive in trying to follow social distancing rules, and lines outside the restaurants were marked at 6 feet intervals to divide customers into groups. Once inside, security also told guests to wear masks and follow social distancing rules, she said.

Riot House faces a class one misdemeanor, which could result in a $20,000 fine, The Arizona Republic reported.

“There is no playbook for this. We are doing what we can, which is why we took the proactive step we did yesterday,” Druss said.

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Maya Day and Night Club also is closing its doors, through the Fourth of July weekend, for health and safety protocols. In a statement, managers said they had been following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but, “unfortunately, some of our patrons have aggressively refused to abide by our operational guidelines and we have no choice but to cease operations for this period of time – and possibly longer – in order to be responsible in support of state and city efforts to preclude the spread of COVID-19.”

Maya set strict guidelines for their staff to follow, said Jason Adler, director of operations for Spellbound Entertainment Group. He complained that Ducey did not give clear guidelines for reopening and most of the instructions put in place were “broad.” Adler said Maya set guidelines that “went above and beyond what the governor said initially.”

Staff were required to be masked at all times, even before Maricopa County officials mandated the move last weekend. Staff were required to have sanitizer on hand, for customers and personal use. Adler posted signage throughout the club reminding customers to social distance, along with warnings that customers were present at their own risk.

It was at times difficult to get customers to comply with the new regulations, he said.

“Sometimes, there is a lot of pushback. We feel like we are trying to control something that we can’t really control with our patrons,” Adler said.

Ultimately, Maya temporarily shut down, and the club’s owners challenged other establishments to follow their lead.

“We want to be a part of the solution, not the problem,” Adler said.

At his news conference, Ducey thanked those who are complying and following the guidelines. He cautioned those who are not, saying, “there will be enforcement, and there will be more for bad actors.”

As of June 29, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 66,458 cases of COVID-19 and 1,535 total deaths in the state.

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