27 RI Businesses Fined For COVID-19 Non-Compliance In March

PROVIDENCE, RI — More than two dozen Rhode Island businesses were fined in March for violating the state's coronavirus safety regulations, according to data from the Commerce Department.

Businesses are routinely inspected by Rhode Island's COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force, a collaboration between the Departments of Health and Business Regulation. Inspectors not issues such as a lack of mask-wearing, allowing customers to congregate, businesses operating over capacity and more. Businesses are then issued a compliance order for less serious issues, or immediate compliance orders, which force the business to close until violations are corrected.

All but one of the 27 businesses that received were fined for improper mask-wearing among employees, which usually led to a $100 fine. Just one business was fined for another reason: Pasha Hookah Bar was fined $100 for improper use of hookah indoors.

Fines for businesses ranged from $100 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the violation and how many violations they had previously.

The businesses are listed below, along with the amount fined.

• Chuck's Barber Shop: $200
• Auto Spa: $100
• Boulevard Pizza: $100
• Family Dollar (150 Pocasset Ave, Providence): $100
• Six Pack Brewing: $100
• El Tapatio: $100
• Little Caesar's (1551 Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket): $100
• Body Rock Fitness (Second Citation, both employee and customer mask violations): $1,000
• Nova Churrasqueira Restaurant: $100
• American Muffler & Brake: $100
• Ricci Furniture: $100
• Still Under Ink: $100
• Ollie's Bargain Outlet: $100
• Lower Level Bar & Grill: $100
• Brews & Cues: $100
• Town Food Mart: $100
• Valvoline Instant Oil Change (1600 Post Rd, Warwick): $100
• La Gigante Meat Market (Second Citation): $250
• Mizu Japanese Steak House, Warwick (Second Citation): $250
• Flash Car Wash: $100
• Auto Zone (Park Avenue, Cranston: Second Citation): $250
• McT's Tavern: $100
• A&D Fitness (Second Citation, both employee and customer mask violations): $500
• Emma's Back Porch Third Citation: $100
• Ron's Gourmet Pastries: $100
• Pet-I-Coat Junction Professional Pet Grooming: $100
• Pasha Hookah Bar : $100
• Midland Farms: $100

Along with the 27 businesses, seven residents were fined $500 each for hosting social gatherings above the current limit.

More information about Rhode Island's COVID-19 regulations and compliance orders is available on the Department of Business Regulation's website.