A bar in a small Texas town has banned patrons from wearing masks inside, even though it is adhering to other social distance measures ami...
A bar in a small Texas town has banned patrons from wearing masks inside, even though it is adhering to other social distance measures amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Liberty Tree Tavern in Elgin - a rural town with a population of roughly 10,000 - has a sign on its door advising those who wear mask to seek business elsewhere.
The sign reads: 'Due to our concern for our citizens, if they feel the need to wear a mask, then they should probably stay home until it's safe.'
Kevin Smith, co-owner of the Main St. bar, decided to post the sign as a message to those who wanted to enforce strict lockdown guidelines. Bars in the area are to only have 25 per cent occupancy.
'It is more of a push back — the snitches, and the contact tracers out there,' Smith explained to KXAN. 'This is still a rural county.'
Liberty Tree Tavern in Elgin - a rural town with a population of roughly 10,000 - has a sign on its door advising those who wear mask to seek business elsewhere
The sign has split the small community, where only 52 have tested positive for COVID-19.
'I think that's a risk. I think that's foolish,' said Elgin local, Ross Owens. 'They're taking chances they don't need to take, especially if they're in public service.'
Bar local Charles Chamberlain eagerly anticipated the reopening of the bar.
Kevin Smith, co-owner of the Main St. bar, decided to post the sign as a message to those who wanted to enforce strict lockdown guidelines
'It is more of a push back — the snitches, and the contact tracers out there,' Smith explained
'I'm a stage 4 cancer survivor. It's just a choice. He just put that up their to let people know if they aren't feeling good, then they maybe shouldn't come,' said Charles Chamberlain.
'Everybody is keeping safe distances, they aren't bunching up.'
Some businesses in the area are requiring customers to wear masks while others are allowing their patrons to decide.
'I don't know anyone personally, and I know a lot of people, that's gotten the virus or has died,' said Sherrill Schier, owner of ETX Travel. The owner has mask on stand-by for customers but does not wear them herself.
'People are just comfortable. We are a small town, we don't have a lot of crowds. We are okay,' she added.
The sign has split the small community, where only 52 have tested positive for COVID-19