Regulators cite three more eateries for violating Walz order

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota regulators on Saturday told three more establishments to close indoor in-person dining or face 60-day suspensions of their liquor licenses.

The Interchange in Albert Lea, Cornerstone in Monticello and The Pour House in Clarks Grove have joined a growing list of eateries that have ignored Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order aimed and slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Others facing similar suspensions are Boardwalk Bar and Grill in East Grand Forks, Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville, Mission Tavern in Merrifield and Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton.

All of the businesses cited for violating the order will have hearings before an administrative law judge. They could be looking at five-year liquor license suspensions for a second violation of the closure order.

Many small-business owners believe they are being singled out while barely scraping by and say the latest order during the busiest time of the year could shut them down for good.

State health officials on Sunday confirmed 2,705 new cases of COVID-19 and 70 new deaths due to complications from the virus. The deaths, which included 45 people in long-term care facilities, lifted the total number of fatalities to 4,850.

More than 397,000 positive tests have been reported since the start of the pandemic.