St Paul (LEARFIELD) – Today Governor Tim Walz extended his shut down of indoor dining at bars and restaurants, pointing to hospital capacity as a large concern for the decision.
“Community spread is still well above 30 percent in our communities,” Walz said, “and again, just to remind you, community spread is where we don’t know where it is coming from”
Hospitality groups have pushed back saying the known cases resulting from people inside bars and restaurants is less than one percent.
In relation to the extended shut down, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says if businesses violate the governor’s order that he will take them to court, but that he does not want to do that; and is asking businesses comply. Ellison also added a reminder to business owners that a vaccine is here, and it is only a matter of time before COVID in Minnesota gets under control.
Walz also announced today that fitness facilities would reopen at 25 percent capacity, youth sports would be able to practice January 4th and elementary schools could begin planning for in person learning, with a goal to return kids to the classroom on January 18th.
