Restaurants Hit With Cease-&-Desist Orders, License Suspension

ACROSS MINNESOTA— The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced it has issued cease-and-desist orders and notices of license suspension to Long Pine Store in Pine River and Jamieson’s on Main in Oslo, after determining that the facilities had violated executive orders designed to protect their employees, customers, and communities from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the MDH.

Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-99 on November 18. The executive order prohibits bars and restaurants from offering on-premises dining. The executive order was issued at a time of rapid acceleration in the spread of COVID-19 across Minnesota and sought to protect Minnesotans while also preventing hospitals and health care systems from becoming overwhelmed by the surge in cases, the MDH explained.

As of December 18, at 11:59 p.m., restaurants and bars could resume outdoor dining at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people, with some additional restrictions. While up to five customers at a time may step inside briefly to pick up takeout, indoor dining remains closed to the public.

On December 18, MDH inspected Long Pine Store in Pine River. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-premises consumption of beverages in violation of Executive Order 20-99. A cease-and-desist order and license suspension notice were served on December 24, according to the agency.

On December 21, MDH inspected Jamieson’s on Main in Oslo. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-premises eating. A cease-and-desist order and license suspension notice were served on December 26.

According to MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff, enforcement actions are a last resort when it is clear that education and outreach are not sufficient to help a regulated establishment come into compliance with requirements.

“COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic,” Huff said. “Our preference is always to work with businesses to bring them into compliance, and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort. The vast majority of businesses are doing their best to help slow down the spread of COVID-19, and we owe it to them to have a consistent and fair enforcement approach.”