NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Health Department has ordered a local restaurant to close immediately due to repeated COVID-19 violations.

According to a press release from the City of New Bedford, The Bar, located at 266 Dartmouth Street, was issued a cease and desist order Wednesday following its third violation of the state’s COVID-19 regulations.

As a result, The Bar has been fined $2,900 and is ordered to close immediately, and will not be permitted to re-open until Massachusetts moves into Phase 4 of Governor Charlie Baker’s re-opening plan. The Commonwealth has been in Phase 3 since July 13, and Baker has said it will not move into Phase 4 until an effective treatment or vaccine is available – although two potential vaccines could be available by the end of the month if given FDA approval.

The Bar was previously fined $300 on October 14 for serving alcohol without food and for failure of employees to wear a mask. On November 21, The Bar was fined $600 for failure of employees to wear masks.

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