Restaurant owner refuses to comply with COVID guidelines
The owner of a restaurant in Spotsylvania County refuses to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Matt Strickland says he does not need to be told what to do and stands up for his rights.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (FOX 5 DC) – Health officials in Spotsylvania County have suspended the license of a Virginia restaurant for failing to comply with COVID-19 rules, but the owner says it remains open anyway.
According to a report on Fredericksburg.com, Matt Strickland, the owner of Gourmeltz in Cosner’s Corner, posted a video on YouTube in which he says he will not close his business.
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“Finally, the governor said that – so you have to comply with those mandates,” Strickland said in the video. “I told him politely – I said I’m no longer in the army, I’m not going to do anything just because you tell me to do it. I’m a citizen now and if you want me to do something do, it must make sense and it does not have to infringe on my constitutional rights and it must be legal. ‘
According to health officials, they first went to the restaurant in December after complaints about the lack of social distance and employees not wearing face masks, according to Fredericksburg.com. They say they are working with other government agencies to determine the next step.
Spotsylvania County restaurant owner says he remains open after license suspended due to COVID-19 violations
Health officials in Spotsylvania County have suspended the license of a Virginia restaurant for failing to comply with COVID-19 rules, but the owner says it remains open anyway.