MLBA in the Local Media from 1/4/20-1/8/20
Links from the week of Jan. 4th of MLBA stories in the media. (Scroll down for links from December.)
The trade group representing liquor retailers in the state made similarly celebratory statements about the news. Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak said it recognizes “how seriously our bars and restaurants are taking the pandemic.”
“We will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature on quick and decisive relief for these struggling businesses,” Chesak said. “We are and have been ready to open our doors.”
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, which supports the state’s small liquor businesses (including liquor stores, bars, and restaurants that serve alcohol) also released a response to Walz’s decision.
“As the numbers in Minnesota have been trending very favorably for a dial turn to the right, we appreciate Governor Walz recognizing how seriously our bars and restaurants are taking the pandemic and that keeping our customers and staff members safe is a top priority by turning the dial for indoor dining and service,” Executive Director Tony Chesak said in a press release. “We will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature on quick and decisive relief for these struggling businesses. We are and have been ready to open our doors. Welcome back, Minnesota!”
From Grand Rapids Herald Review
Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak issued the following statement in response:
“As the numbers in Minnesota have been trending very favorably for a dial turn to the right, we appreciate Governor Walz recognizing how seriously our bars and restaurants are taking the pandemic and that keeping our customers and staff members safe is a top priority by turning the dial for indoor dining and service. We will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature on quick and decisive relief for these struggling businesses. We are and have been ready to open our doors. Welcome back, Minnesota!”
From The Center Square, Reposted on Mesabi Tribune and Walker Pilot Independent
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association also said they don’t know the exact new restrictions, but stated they “need at least a week or more to prepare with ordering and staffing and it appears our pleas are being heard.”
Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak welcomed the change.
“As the numbers in Minnesota have been trending very favorably for a dial turn to the right, we appreciate Governor Walz recognizing how seriously our bars and restaurants are taking the pandemic and that keeping our customers and staff members safe is a top priority by turning the dial for indoor dining and service,” Chesak said in a statement.
“We will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature on quick and decisive relief for these struggling businesses. We are and have been ready to open our doors.”
Link to Article
Hospitality Minnesota and the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, which represent the bar and restaurant industry, said the changes were positive news after several weeks of much tougher restrictions.
Fargo-Moorhead InForum
A recent survey by the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association found only about a quarter of the bars and restaurants will survive less than six months if they can’t fully reopen.
“We are going to see a lot of them shutdown if we don’t get back to business.,” said Leslie Rosedahl with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. “We all care about public safety and (COVID), but we have to do it in a responsible way that also helps our economy and small businesses in the community.”
The Minnesota Health Department has traced a little more than 4,100 cases of COVID-19 back to bars and restaurants. That’s less than 1%. Many have asked how that stacks up to big box retailers who have not had strict restrictions.
“They haven’t given us the tracker data,” said Rosedahl.
The Minnesota Department of Health says that’s because they don’t know.
“Transmission is not occurring in these settings,” said MDH information officer Doug Schultz.
They say due to a lack of outbreaks inside big box retailers, it’s unknown how many cases have been traced back to them and say restrictions would be nearly impossible because they’re essential and safer.
“People typically spend less than 15 minutes in any one place in a retail establishment. These are low risk establishments where there is social distancing, masking is involved,” explained Schultz.
Industry leaders strongly believe restaurants and bars can be just as safe.
“Bars and restaurants are one of the most regulated industries and they feel like they can do this safely,” said Rosedahl.
MLBA Press Statement from 12/16/20
From December 16, 2020
MLBA PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leslie Rosedahl, 651.353.1818 or [email protected]
December 16, 2020
Note: MLBA Executive Director Tony Chesak is available for individual phone or computer-based interviews.
MLBA statement on continued closure of indoor service for bars and restaurants
(St. Paul, Minn.) – Today Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will announce continued full closure of indoor service at Minnesota’s bars and restaurants. Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak issued the following statement in response.
“Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust. Minnesota’s hospitality industry has complied in good faith with mask mandates, limited service, and yet has only seen 1.76% of COVID cases tracked back to bars and restaurants. The data driving the decisions is not transparent to the public and isn’t being used to make our collective actions smarter or safer for all involved.
Governor Walz’s order continues blanket rules that are resulting in the near elimination of an entire industry, employing thousands of Minnesotans. The paltry offering of limited outdoor dining in the middle of a Minnesota winter doesn’t even begin to make up for the forced closures. While Governor Walz’s dials turn, more and more of Minnesota’s restaurants and bars will be forced turn their lights off permanently.”
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The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) represents Minnesota’s small, family-owned liquor retailers, both on-sale (of bars and restaurants) and off-sale (at liquor stores).
MLBA in the Local Media from 12/16/20
Here are 7 links from 12/16/2020.
Star Tribune
The latest regulations are “shameful and unjust,” said Tony Chesak, executive director of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. “The paltry offering of limited outdoor dining in the middle of a Minnesota winter doesn’t even begin to make up for the forced closures,” he said.
MPR News
[preceding paragraph: Liz Rammer said she was disappointed…] Harsher words came from Tony Chesak, executive director of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. “Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust,” he said in a statement, adding that a fraction of COVID-19 cases have been tracked back to bars and restaurants.
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) also issued a statement, calling the decision “shameful and unjust.” Read the entire statement from MLBA Director Tony Chesak.
“Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust,” Chesak said. “Minnesota’s hospitality industry has complied in good faith with mask mandates, limited service, and yet has only seen 1.76% of COVID cases tracked back to bars and restaurants. The data driving the decisions is not transparent to the public and isn’t being used to make our collective actions smarter or safer for all involved. Governor Walz’s order continues blanket rules that are resulting in the near elimination of an entire industry, employing thousands of Minnesotans. The paltry offering of limited outdoor dining in the middle of a Minnesota winter doesn’t even begin to make up for the forced closures. While Governor Walz’s dials turn, more and more of Minnesota’s restaurants and bars will be forced [to] turn their lights off permanently.”
Shortly before the governor’s announcement, the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association also reacted to the news of restrictions. “Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust,” Tony Chesak, MLBA executive director, said in the release.
“Minnesota’s hospitality industry has complied in good faith with mask mandates, limited service, and yet has only seen 1.76% of COVID cases tracked back to bars and restaurants.”
Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak issued a statement saying the extended restrictions are devastating.
“Governor Walz’s order continues blanket rules that are resulting in the near elimination of an entire industry, employing thousands of Minnesotans,” he said. “The paltry offering of limited outdoor dining in the middle of a Minnesota winter doesn’t even begin to make up for the forced closures. While Governor Walz’s dials turn, more and more of Minnesota’s restaurants and bars will be forced to turn their lights off permanently.”
In a statement to CCX News, Minnesota License Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak said “Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust.” Chesak added, “Minnesota’s hospitality industry has complied in good faith with mask mandates, limited service, and yet has only seen 1.76% of COVID cases tracked back to bars and restaurants. The data driving the decisions is not transparent to the public and isn’t being used to make our collective actions smarter or safer for all involved.”
Chesak also said “The paltry offering of limited outdoor dining in the middle of a Minnesota winter doesn’t even begin to make up for the forced closures. While Governor Walz’s dials turn, more and more of Minnesota’s restaurants and bars will be forced turn their lights off permanently.”
https://ccxmedia.org/news/12-16-covid-19-update-governor-walz-to-announce-next-steps-on-restrictions/
KTOE
[full statement posted: Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Statement on Governor’s Restrictions]
