Bar hoppers in party bus may have spread COVID-19 in several bars, MI tavern says

A group of bar hoppers may have exposed patrons at four establishments to the coronavirus, Michigan health officials said this week.

On July 11, a group of people visited four Huron County bars — Ubly Pub, Farmers Tavern, Smalley’s Bar & Grill and The Gathering Place — between 8 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. July 12, according to a July 21 news release.

The Gathering Place said in a Facebook post the group was traveling by party bus and arrived around 12 a.m., staying for less than an hour.

Now, several members of the bar-hopping group have tested positive for COVID-19, potentially exposing patrons at all four bars, officials said.

Anyone who visited any of the bars during the time frame is asked to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms for at least 14 days from the time they may have been exposed.

Those who develop symptoms — including fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell — are advised to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, officials said.

“This is a reminder that COVID-19 is still present and circulating in Michigan and Huron County,” officials said. “Individuals need to remain vigilant, wear a mask, practice social distancing and continue good hand hygiene.”

On July 13, an order requiring people to wear masks in indoor public spaces went into effect in Michigan, requiring businesses to refuse to allow people without masks inside, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Since then, The Gathering Place said it has banned all party buses and large groups from the establishment.

Huron County has 77 confirmed cases of coronavirus and three deaths, according health department data current through July 17.

This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Bar hoppers in party bus may have spread COVID-19 in several bars, MI tavern says."