Minneapolis Mayor Orders Bar Areas Closed To Curb COVID-19 Spread

From the Minnesota Reformer:

By Max Nesterak
July 29, 2020

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ordered all bar areas closed in the city amid concerns of rising COVID-19 cases. The order goes into effect on Aug. 1 at 5 p.m and prohibits people from congregating or being served in indoor bar areas, but allows restaurants and bars to remain open for table seating.

“Bars are very high risk locations for COVID-19 outbreaks,” Frey said. “In Minneapolis alone, we know of at least nine bars that have been tied to patron outbreaks. At least three bars have been tied to employee outbreaks. A night out at the bar is too often leading to nights in the hospital.”

The move follows similar retreats across the country with at least ten states reinstating restrictions on restaurants, bars and other public places following spikes in cases.

Frey first ordered restaurants and bars to close on March 16 just hours before Gov. Tim Walz issued a similar statewide order. Restaurants and bars across the state stayed closed for nearly three months, permitted to reopen on June 10 at half capacity and with face covering requirements.

The number of COVID-19 cases across the state has continued to climb with more than 52,000 confirmed cases in the state and more than 16,000 in Hennepin County.

The age of people infected has skewed younger, with 45% of confirmed cases in the county being people 34 years old or younger, raising concerns that younger people were spreading the virus at hangouts like bars.

Last week, three Minneapolis restaurants and bars were cited for violating Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order limiting capacity inside places of public accommodation and requiring face coverings and social distancing.

This story is developing and will be updated.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..