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Restaurant opposed to masks for employees 'closed until further notice'

The Grille at Flower Hill was scheduled to reopen Thursday after a visit from Montgomery County Health officials, but instead posted a sign that it was still closed.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A Montgomery County restaurant who previously said they would not make employees wear masks is now closing. 

The Grille at Flower Hill will remain "closed until further notice," according to a sign posted Thursday on the restaurant's door. 

The restaurant was set to reopen Thursday after sparking controversy when the owner proclaimed "my staff will not wear face masks while working here at the Grille" in a Facebook post that was later deleted.

Montgomery County health authorities believe the Facebook Post was authentic.

County inspectors visited the business on July 2 after complaints were received that staff were not wearing masks, according to a statement from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

RELATED: Restaurant scorched on social media after county confirms employees are working without masks

The Grille at Flower Hill is closed until Thursday, but county authorities say they will return then to see if employees are wearing masks. GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Montgomery County health authorities have confirmed that they warned a restaurant owner to equip his employees with masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus after receiving complaints that workers were unprotected.

The county issued a verbal warning to the restaurant at that time, according to the statement.

On Monday, the restaurant’s Facebook page read: “Please direct any and all complaints regarding our limited hours of service to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Gov. Larry Hogan.” 

The Grille had been operating on a Thursday through Sunday schedule.

The restaurant's Facebook Page has now been deleted.

WUSA9s attempts to contact restaurant operator TwoMoore Holdings LLC have not been successful.

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