Cancun in Waterville Shut Down Due to 15 Critical Violations

Shut Down...Again

Cancun Mexican Restaurant in Waterville, Maine is being shut down for the second time this year.

The Mexican eatery was closed back in April due to failing to meet COVID-19 requirements.

According to the Morning Sentinel, Cancun had to be shut down for 7 days. Staff was found not wearing face coverings, patrons were allowed to wander around the establishment. and the restaurant failed to properly quarantine an employee that was sick.

"While more than 10 noncritical violations can be identified during inspections, it is less common to find this number of critical violations."

Imminent Health Hazard

Cancun had another state health inspection on December 8th reports the Morning Sentinel. This time violations included staff not knowing how to properly handle food, rat droppings, evidence of someone living there, staff not washing hands, food being placed on dirty surfaces, and more.

A spokesman for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted to the Morning Sentinel, "While more than 10 noncritical violations can be identified during inspections, it is less common to find this number of critical violations."

Undocumented Workers

Health violations aren't the only thing that has brought owner Hector Fuentes and Cancun into the spotlight.

Back in 2014 as News Center Maine reported, he plead guilty to hiring 10 or more people living in the United States illegally which resulted in a 30-month prison sentence.

Improvement

Cancun is working on addressing the issues but cannot reopen until there is a follow-up inspection.

Could this be the result of not being able to easily find workers and proper training falling through the cracks? A simple case of poor management? Will the restaurant be able to rebound after their history?