DELAWARE - The eve of Thanksgiving is typically known for bringing large crowds to bars and restaurants for informal gatherings ahead of family time. In turn, this usually makes for a busy night for law enforcement watching for impaired driving. With the pandemic also a big concern this year, law enforcement is also on the lookout for people, particularly businesses, violating COVID safety protocols.
Delaware's Department of Public Health issued mandates requiring bars and restaurants to strictly enforce social distancing, mask wearing, and other safety measures or risk paying immediate fines.
Neighboring states are also ramping up enforcement with Maryland State Police implementing so-called Compliance Units and Pennsylvania suspending alcohol sales at bars and restaurants altogether Wednesday night.
Some Delaware bars say not only are they not expecting large crowds, but that after months of having to adhere to changing policies, they're prepared for a very different holiday season. “I think people are ready to try to do the right thing on both sides. I think the establishments are and the customers are as well," said Steve Montgomery, co-owner of The Starboard in Dewey Beach.
Montgomery expressed a sense of optimism looking toward the possibility of a soon available vaccine. He feels that in this moment entrepreneurs and patrons should come together to round the corner. “The time more than ever to do the right thing is right now," said Montgomery. "To stop this spread try to keep people as healthy as we can through these holidays”.
Delaware State Police troopers say they will have extra road safety enforcement for the entirety of the holiday weekend. Efforts will be focused particularly on looking out for drunk or impaired drivers.