Mayor Elorza: Lap dances 'irresponsible' amid coronavirus outbreak
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — There was no “social distancing” between some dancers and patrons at one local strip club over the weekend, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said Wednesday.
“There were people doing lap dances,” Elorza said, telling reporters what police observed at the Wonderland Gentlemen’s Club. “I can’t think of anything more irresponsible at a time like this.”
Elorza said the strip club is one of six businesses that police have shut down, accusing them of being in violation of his emergency orders related to the coronavirus.
The mayor pulled all entertainment licenses last Thursday and limited establishments to serving 100 or fewer patrons. By Monday, all restaurants and bars in the entire state were ordered to stop having dine-in patrons. (Delivery, takeout and drive-through is still allowed.)
Since then, police officers have been doing spot checks at bars and restaurants and also responding to complaints.
On Saturday night, Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré said Wonderland and Parkview Bakery allegedly violated the order.
Masheratti Lounge and La Sonrisa were caught on Sunday, Paré said. And after restaurants were told to stop dine-in services, Vic’s Tap and Gemma’s Bar were both discovered serving customers inside for St. Patrick’s Day.
“It’s important that we shut down these places that attract large crowds that are ripe for contagion,” Elorza said.
https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/mayor-elorza-lap-dances-irresponsible-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/