West Haven’s Blue Horse closed for violating COVID protocol

WEST HAVEN — The Blue Horse restaurant was closed down temporarily by the city’s health department for operating as a bar, according to Health Director Maureen Lillis.

The state’s Phase 3 III reopening plan did not include a date for bars to open. While the city was operating under Phase 3 Thursday, when the Blue Horse was shuttered, the city on Friday reverted to more strict Phase 2 protocols over concerns about rising COVID-19 cases.

The closing came less than two weeks after Blue Horse was fined $500 for allegedly holding a karaoke event in violation of state rules regarding COVID-19 protocols.

Owner Bob Severino, who caters largely to a University of New Haven crowd, said he believed he is being focused on by the health department because they blame him for a spike in cases at UNH. Severino has vowed to fight the $500 fine and was upset by the closure Thursday night at about 10 p.m., when the lights were turned on and customers were told to leave.

Severino said he believed he angered the health department by refusing to provide diagrams and other details of a now-canceled Halloween party that had been scheduled for Saturday night. Severino said there is nowhere in the rules that required him to give details of the event and that he has been a stickler for enforcing pandemic protocols such as social distancing and mask-wearing.

Lillis responded to the allegation in an email:

“The bar recently received a warning, but continued to operate against Governor Lamont’s Executive orders. The City has worked very hard for the last 8 months to try to reduce and then contain our COVID-19 cases,” Lillis wrote. “West Haven is now at an orange community alert. When we see potential super spreaders, then we must take steps to safeguard the public.”

Lillis said in an email the Blue Horse will remain closed until the owners meet with the department to discuss compliance with Lamont’s sector rules. Operating as a bar is a violation of those rules.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The Blue Horse has been closed temporarily by the West Haven Health Department for violating pandemic rules.