(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 22, 2020) Today, Riley County Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs issued a Notice to Close Immediately to O’Malley’s Alley, located at 1210 Moro Street in Manhattan. An officer from the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) served the order to owner William Porter and placards were placed on the doors of the establishment.
As the Local Health Officer appointed by the Board of Health, Gibbs is duly authorized to prohibit public gatherings and take other measures necessary for the control of any and all infectious or contagious diseases. Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-129b, any sheriff, deputy sheriff or other law enforcement officer of the state or any political subdivision within Riley County, Kansas is hereby ordered to assist in the execution or enforcement of Local Health Orders.
This is the first Notice to Close Immediately that has been issued in Riley County during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Riley County residents reported multiple complaints about O’Malley’s Alley and the complaints were confirmed by RCPD officers as well as the Local Health Officer. Efforts to achieve voluntary compliance were unsuccessful.
O’Malley’s Alley was observed on Friday, August 21 to be in violation of section 2, B#4 Local Health Order 18 which states:
- All restaurants and bars are limited to seated areas only. This includes patios.
- Service or consumption of food or drinks while standing at a counter/bar or in standing-only areas is prohibited.
- Consumption of food and beverages shall only take place at a counter or table via seated service.
O’Malley’s Alley was also observed to be in violation of section 2, A#1 of Order 18 which states:
- All individuals present within the city limits of Manhattan must comply with the local mask ordinance.
The Notice to Close Immediately will remain in effect until such time as O’Malley’s can comply with Order 18 or any subsequent order.
Read the complete text of Local Health Order 18 on the Riley County website at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2769.
Information about financial assistance for businesses affected by COVID-19 is available through the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit their website at https://www.manhattan.org/440/Business-Resources-for-Coronavirus-COVID or call their office at 785-776-8829 during regular business hours. Find information about resources available through the State of Kansas Office of Recovery at https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/.
For more information about Riley County’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visit the Riley County website at www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus, follow RCHD on Facebook at /Rileycountyhealthdepartment/ and Twitter @RileyCoHealth.
