Honolulu police arrest 2, close bar after COVID-19 violation

HONOLULU — Honolulu liquor and law enforcement officials say they have arrested multiple people and closed down a bar for violating restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Brix and Bones sports bar was shut down after it remained opened despite public health orders that require bars to remain closed until at least Wednesday.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell initially closed all bars for business in July and has extended the public health order multiple times since.

Two people were arrested for multiple violations and seven others were cited, police said.

The sports bar has previously been cited for being open during a mandatory closure, police said. The bar also was associated with a cluster of coronavirus cases in July, the state Department of Health reported.

Representatives from the sports bar were not immediately available for inquires for comment made by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

The state reported 114 new confirmed cases on Friday, according to the state Department of Health. There have been 120 deaths from the coronavirus in the state since the pandemic began.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.