MLBA Responds to Latest Extension to the Prohibition on Indoor On-Sale & Dining

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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

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.”

St. Cloud Times

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.”

Mankato Free Press

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.”

CCX Media

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]