Dear Editor,
I read a report of the COVID-19 task force raid at the Sleepin Hotel bar on Sunday evening, January 17. First, I welcome the enforcement of COVID-19 rules; it protects my health. But enforcement is not consistent across the country as I noticed in my travels from coast to coast.
I was told that the curfew for COVID-19 in public restaurants and bars is 10:30, not 06:30 pm. So I’m surprised to find that a raid took place at 18:00 (06:30 pm) in Sleepin. If he enforced social distance, wearing masks and the size of the crowd, he would be welcomed. PS: I passed by the barrage around 18:00 (06:00 pm) on Sunday night. Hundreds of people were close together “partying” with many not wearing masks and very close to each other. There was no anti-COVID-19 raid.
I attended the Sleepin bar almost daily over the past week, meeting guests and or entertaining friends. I did not notice a breach of the COVID-19 rules on social isolation and wearing masks. Everyone I saw had a mask. Due to the nature of a bar, it was expected that people would not always observe a social distance of six feet. Drinks and / or snacks must be served. Everyone had a mask except when sipping a drink or eating something.
Sleepin is a hotel. The owner is expected to serve drinks and meals to guests. The public are not encouraged to sponsor indoor public restaurants and bars. Guests must eat and drink. Sleepin bar and restaurant are outdoors; eating outdoors is not “banned” although there are restrictions. It is not enclosed. The tables are divided according to social distance requirements. The risk of infection is reduced under such conditions.
Undoubtedly, the owner of Sleepin must have recognized the serious threat to health posed by COVID-19. And I’m sure the owner has taken the above measures to mitigate the threat to staff and guests. The hotel must address the needs and requirements of guests in order to keep their business or else they would go elsewhere. To my knowledge, nobody’s health has been threatened in Sleepin. Hopefully, the hotel was not targeted. Were other hotels robbed? It’s the same hospitality business; they must address the requirements of guests without posing a threat to public safety.
Truly,
Bisram Vishnu
