INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — After the state of Missouri recognized its municipal health department again, the city of Independence broke from the Jackson County Health Department's emergency COVID-19 guidance, enacting its own less restrictive health orders that went into effect Friday.
Restaurants, bars and taverns in Independence are allowed to remain open until midnight instead of having to close at 10 p.m., which is the curfew in place for Kansas City, Missouri, and the rest of eastern Jackson County.
Management at Score Sports Bar and Grill in Independence are excited to be able to stay open an additional two hours.
"A lot of times — probably 9, 10 o’clock — people are just kind of getting started," Score Sports Bar owner Lori Burroughs said. "They’re just trying to get their groove on and they’re ready to be out for a little while and they’re ready to spend money. And just as soon as they’re ready to spend a little bit of money, it’s time to go, so it’s hard. It hurts."
Throughout the pandemic, Burroughs estimated Score Sports Bar has lost nearly half of its revenue, but she remains upbeat: "Keeping a positive outlook and positive attitude has been the biggest drive for us."
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir told 41 Action News on Friday that the decision to extend the closing time was made with businesses in mind.
"We know that it has a big impact on these businesses to lose those two hours of business and felt that it didn’t have a significant impact on the public health," Weir said.
Weir said the delay in any financial relief for these businesses, which remains mired in congressional bureaucracy, also played a part in Independence's decision.
She will meet with her health advisers, including Acting Health Director Christina Heinen, twice a week and revisit the need for any changes every 30 days.
Customers also welcomed the change and wished other communities would follow suit.
"I think it’s good for Independence, but it’s really screwed for bars right down the street in Kansas City," Score Sports Bar customer David Jones said.
Independence requires masks to be worn indoors, except when a person is actively eating and drinking, and instituted an approval system for any gatherings of more than 10 people. Organizers must submit a mitigation plan to the Independence Health Department for approval at least seven days in advance.
