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RELEASE: Robbins statement on new limits on bars and restaurants

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

ROBBINS STATEMENT ON NEW LIMITS ON BARS AND RESTAURANTS

MAPLE GROVE – On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz announced further regulations on bars and restaurant as well as private social gatherings. Bars and restaurants remain at 50% capacity with a new maximum of 150 people; counters for all establishments must be closed for seating and service; patrons must be seated at tables, and no bar games that require standing are permitted; bars and restaurants must stop serving at 10 PM. These new restrictions take effect this Friday, November 13 at 10 PM.

Private social gatherings must be limited to 10 people for indoors and outdoor, and be restricted to three households or fewer. Wedding receptions and similar events also have new phased-in limits with 50 people limit starting November 27 and a 25 person limit starting December 11.

Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, issued the following statement in response:

"The Governor stated he has worked to include the "community" in his decision-making, but he has once again left out the Representatives of the people of Minnesota in the Legislature. I sent another letter to the Governor this morning asking for him to work with the Legislature as he considers how to manage the increase in community spread, specifically asking him to provide enough notice of any changes so that businesses can adjust their ordering and not lose even more money on perishable products. The Legislature is a co-equal branch of government that has been side-lined far too long in this process."

Also today, the Walz administration clarified in guidance documents that retailers subject to the 50 percent capacity limitation may now operate at 100 percent capacity under COVID safety precautions. This move recognizes the short time customers are in retail stores and how the industry has created safe shopping environments for customers and employees.

Robbins continued: "I was part of a bipartisan group of legislators that has been asking to meet with the Governor about allowing businesses to open fully and I am very pleased to see that the retail businesses can now be open at 100% capacity. Retail has not been tied to any significant outbreaks and this is essential to their ability to survive as we enter the critical holiday shopping season."

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