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  • Walz Admin Threatens Businesses With Fines, Inspections, and Closure

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    Minnesota House Republicans
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    Walz administration announced "increased compliance checks at bars and restaurants in the coming weeks, beginning August 28." 

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    Walz Admin threatens businesses with fines, inspections, and closure

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    Walz administration announced "increased compliance checks at bars and restaurants in the coming weeks, beginning August 28." 

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    341 views2 pages

    Walz Admin Threatens Businesses With Fines, Inspections, and Closure

    Uploaded by

    Minnesota House Republicans
    Walz administration announced "increased compliance checks at bars and restaurants in the coming weeks, beginning August 28." 

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 2

    Dear hospitality industry association representative,

    As you know, Minnesota businesses are required to follow federal and state guidelines to reduce the spread of
    COVID-19 and ensure the safety and health of their employees and their customers. Most establishments are
    following federal and state guidelines, but it makes it difficult for them to compete or to explain to their
    customers when other establishments are not in compliance.

    We owe it to the establishments that are following the guidelines to address these issues of noncompliance.
    We all need to do our part to help slow or reduce the spread of COVID-19, which will allow businesses to remain
    open and set our schools up for success. That’s why Minnesota public safety and health officials will conduct
    increased compliance checks at bars and restaurants throughout Minnesota in the coming weeks, beginning
    August 28.

    Teams from the Minnesota Departments of Public Safety (DPS), Health (MDH) and Labor and Industry (DLI) will
    visit multiple establishments each weekend. These visits will focus on compliance with Executive Order 20-74,
    Executive Order 20-54 and Executive Order 20-81, which promote public health and address worker safety and
    health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This additional enforcement effort is in response to concerns that have been raised by compliant establishments
    and customers about places where people gather without complying with requirements such as face covering
    requirements, adherence to social distancing, tables less than six feet apart and establishments serving to more
    than 50 percent capacity.

    What establishments can expect

    • Investigators with the DPS Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division will specifically be looking for
    employees and customers violating mask requirements, adherence to social distancing, tables less than
    six feet apart, party size limits of four per table or six if immediate family members, signs
    communicating face covering requirements, reservation protocols, employee health screening protocols
    and establishments serving to more than 50 percent capacity. Violations could lead to fines or loss of an
    establishment liquor license.

    • MDH is working in conjunction with DPS and DLI on these investigations. Findings of noncompliance may
    result in MDH ordering the establishment to close or issuing fines. In addition to these increased
    compliance efforts, MDH continues to investigate complaints regarding violations of executive orders in
    hospitality businesses, which may also include closure of the establishment and fines.

    • DLI is also working with DPS and MDH on these investigations. Noncompliance that presents potential
    worker safety or health hazards will be referred to Minnesota OSHA Compliance at DLI. Minnesota OSHA
    will assess referrals and determine how to best respond, including conducting a workplace investigation
    which may result in citations, penalties or temporary closure orders.

    • The results of the compliance checks will be shared with you and made publicly available the following
    week.
    • Businesses in Minnesota are required to create and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that
    follows guidelines based on their specific industry. Plan templates and guidelines can be found at the
    Stay Safe Minnesota website (staysafe.mn.gov)

    If you have questions about these compliance checks, contact the appropriate state agency.

    • Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, call 651-201-7500.
    • Minnesota Department of Health: For questions about COVID-19 and guidance for businesses, call 651-
    297-1304.
    • Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: For workplace safety and health questions, call
    Minnesota OSHA at 651-284-5050 or email osha.compliance@state.mn.us.

    We want all students to be able to attend school in person and our businesses and institutions to remain open.
    But, establishments that allow large groups of people to gather in unsafe numbers and disregard safety
    precautions, such as not practicing social distancing or requiring masks, pose a risk to those goals. We are asking
    you to reinforce these measures with your members and encourage them to comply with the executive orders
    listed above.

    Sincerely,

    John Harrington, DPS Commissioner

    Jan K. Malcolm, MDH Commissioner

    Roslyn Robertson, DLI Temporary Commissioner

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