OTTAWA – All bars, restaurants and gaming centers with a liquor license in Ottawa will have to close at 10 PM every night after a new executive order issued by the mayor Saturday. Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem stated it is to ensure a reduced opportunity of the spread of COVID-19. The IDPH reported that the city has now had over 100 infections since the pandemic began. The order also notes that businesses who violate this order could face up to a $750 fine and suspension or revocation of their liquor license.
The mayor later released a post on social media, describing his exposure and some of his family members catching COVID-19 after attending a wedding.
“August 8, 2020
To all city employees and citizens of Ottawa:
Last weekend my family attended an out of town wedding. Many precautions were taken to try to minimize risks of spreading the COVID-19 virus while celebrating a special family day including an outdoor ceremony.
Despite these precautions, within a few days following the wedding several attendees including some of my immediate family had symptoms and/or tested positive for COVID-19. All have mild symptoms and appear to be getting better, thankfully.
We are all carefully following the LaSalle County Health Department and CDC quarantine guidelines and are all staying quarantined to be sure no one else has symptoms. We have also notified those who were potentially exposed so they may do the same.
Due to privacy issues I am not aware of how many people at the wedding were potentially infected nor where the spread originated from.
I share this information in order to set the record straight and also so you can consider this lesson we have learned when considering your own social events as we continue to navigate COVID-19
Please stay safe and cautious!
Daniel F. Aussem“
