KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Two repeat offenders are among a handful of bars and clubs ticketed this past weekend by the Knoxville Police Department as part of its efforts to enforce a 10 p.m., virus-related curfew, according to KPD.
The businesses getting citations Friday or Saturday from the Inspections Unit: Billiards and Brews on Unicorn Drive (both nights); Paul's Oasis on Kingston Pike (both nights); the Backdoor Tavern on Kingston Pike (Friday); and the Buckethead Tavern on Ray Mears Boulevard (Saturday).
Billiards and Brews and Paul’s Oasis have now received three citations each for violation of the curfew, according to a KPD notice.
"Going forward, the city Law Department is assessing whether the allegations set forth in the citations issued by KPD warrant the filing of a noncompliance complaint," the Tuesday notice states.
If a complaint is filed, a hearing with a Beer Board hearing officer will be scheduled as dictated by city code.
Most businesses are complying with the order to shut down at 10 p.m. The regulation was imposed by the Knox County Board of Health, one step in its efforts to curb a sharp, ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases.
If a complaint is filed, a hearing with a Beer Board hearing officer will be scheduled in accordance with Section 4-85 of the Code.
Deaths, hospitalizations and positive test rates are surging in the county and in East Tennessee. The Board of Health has imposed new rules to remain in effect this month to try to control the virus's spread.