Dooley's cleared to reopen after taking 'significant action' on Covid safety measures

Dooley’s Pub has been given the OK to reopen following a 72-hour suspension of its food and beverage license.

The business had been forced to close Friday due to what Olmsted County Public Health described as “recent recurring imminent health and safety hazards.” One video posted prior to the suspension showed unmasked servers pouring shots directly into the mouths of bar-goers.

Public Health officials said Monday, however, that the pub “took significant action over the weekend to put active COVID-19 protections and risk prevention controls in place.” All Dooley’s managers have since signed onto a preparedness plan that meets the state’s Covid-related safety criteria.

The business was set to reopen Monday at 11 a.m.

“Dooley’s management has really stepped up and demonstrated significant changes that will be implemented and enforced, “ said Michael Melius, associate director of Olmsted County Public Health. “We believe that with these improvements and a heightened awareness of the seriousness of the situation, that Dooley’s can re-open and operate safely.”

Public Health officials say a number of modifications have been made inside Dooley’s to help ensure social distancing. Additionally, Dooley’s management says it will be closing at midnight for the next two weeks to monitor whether the early closure affects compliance.

This most recent closure marks the second time the downtown pub has closed over concerns with the spread of Covid. Dooley’s voluntarily shut its doors in early July following an outbreak in which more than two dozen people, including six employees, tested positive for Covid-19.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.