As coronavirus cases in Minnesota continue to rise, state officials are stepping up enforcement of an executive order from Gov. Tim Walz regulating the operation of bars and restaurants to slow the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Investigators from the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the state Department of Public Safety recently visited 919 establishments looking for violations of the executive order. The order requires employees to wear masks, for tables to be six feet apart and for restaurants and bars to operate at 50 percent capacity.
“We can all do our part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our businesses open by wearing a mask, social distancing and adhering to establishment seating limits,” said Booker Hodges, an assistant commissioner with the Department of Public Safety.
Investigators sent warning letters to 14 different restaurants and bars. They are:
- Neisen’s Sports Bar, Savage
- K & J Catering, North St Paul
- Route 47 Pub & Grub, Fridley
- Long Siding Bar & Grill, Princeton
- Danno’s, Anoka
- CoV, Wayzata
- Hoban Korean BBQ, Minneapolis
- Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, Shakopee
- Arnie’s Friendly Folks Club, Shakopee
- Princeton Speedway, Princeton
- Rollie’s, Sauk Rapids
- Breakfast Bar, Minneapolis
- The Stadium, Annandale
- Cowboy Jacks, Minneapolis
The majority of the violations investigators uncovered were employees not wearing masks and establishments were asked to better educate patrons about masks. They were also asked to improve social distancing by unplugging pool tables and games, marking off areas between parties and canceling live performances.
Failing to follow the executive order could result in a fine or revocation of a liquor license.
The enforcement action comes after an uptick in coronavirus cases among people in their 20s that is tied to bars and restaurants. That age group now accounts for 10,865 of the state’s 47,107 coronavirus cases.
State health officials have said Minnesotans can slow the spread of the coronavirus is they routinely wear masks, practice social distancing, regularly wash their hands and stay home when they are sick. Gov. Tim Walz continues to consider a statewide order requiring masks in public places, but has not issued one.
Minnesota recorded a record daily high for coronavirus cases with 922 new infections. It also recorded its youngest fatality with the death of a nine-month-old from Clay County.
