Texas restaurant defends ‘no masks allowed’ policy – kicks out mask-wearing couple
Thomas McDonald
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A Texas bar owner is defending his decision to refuse service to anyone wearing a mask and asking a couple to leave after they wouldn’t take theirs off.
“Our waitress came over, sat down next to me, and said, ‘Our manager sent me over because I am nicer than he is. And yes, this is very political, but you need to take your mask off,’” Natalie Wester said about her experience at Hang Time bar in Rowlett, Texas.
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Natalie and her husband are new parents and said they just wanted to spend some time out with friends, which they do not get to often.
“If you’ve ever been new parents…having those couple of hours out like once a month or so is so important for your mental health,” she said.
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The bar’s owner, who goes by Tom, said that he firmly believes in his no masks allowed policy and isn’t changing it for anyone.
“I have spent my money on this business. I put my blood, sweat, and tears in this business, and I don’t want any masks in here,” Tom said. “I feel the overall reaction with the masks is ridiculous in the United States right now.”
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He added that it’s a private business, and he can enforce any dress code he wants. While there isn’t a sign announcing the policy on the door, the hostess tells every patron to remove their masks.
“So, when they put their masks on the other night, they were reminded that they were asked at the front to take it off. They didn’t want to, so we asked them to leave,” Tom said of the Westers.
The couple says they are fully vaccinated and still choose to wear masks when out of their house—adding that their 4-month-old son is immunocompromised.
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masks be worn by anyone over the age of 2 who is not fully vaccinated.
“If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission,” the CDC website says.
The Independent Chronicle was unable to reach the Hang Time bar for comment.