A neighborhood pub in Fairfield was singled out by the governor as he calls for stricter enforcement of social distancing at restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The BrickYard Pub on Post Road did not open Monday evening as planned. The owner was not willing to go on camera but told News 12 that the official description of what happened there is unfair. She says a crowd built up outside because they were trying to limit the number of people inside.
The Fairfield Police Department, which was called to assist the Health Department, says the violations of the governor's orders there were flagrant.
Owner Jennifer Wilson was fined, and on Monday there were two separate news conferences where the governor pointed to the situation there as an example of why stricter enforcement is needed.
The pub was shut down two days. Police tell News 12 that Health Department policies are intended to allow a problem to be corrected, not as a punishment. The governor said at his news conference that longer penalties for violators are being considered as a deterrent.