Governor extends closings for bars, restaurants again

With fingers crossed, a local business owner told the Mascot prior to Gov. Walz's press conference last Wednesday that he was certain they would finally be able to allow customers back into bars and restaurants.
"Since he delayed his decision twice, I'm pretty sure he was just trying to iron out some details and will allow restaurants and bars to open to indoor service," said the owner, who requested anonymity.
Walz not only surprised a lot of people, but also angered a lot of the business owners.
Some restaurant owners found a way to laugh through their anger when Walz said he would not allow indoor dining, but would allow outdoor dining.
"I'm going to personally invite the governor to dine outside my place," said the local business owner. "I want to watch him eat outside during a blizzard. Seriously, though, we're losing our business to South Dakota."
Also, youth and adult winter sports can now resume practice on Monday, Jan. 4 with additional guidance to come out ahead of that date.
Walz was initially going to announce on Friday, Dec. 11 his decision of whether bars, restaurants, fitness centers and others could re-open. He then delayed that until Monday, Dec. 14, and then again until finally disclosing his announcement on Dec. 16.
His announcement included an extension of a previous order to keep bars and restaurants closed for indoor service, but allowing elementary schools to to re-open with coronavirus mitigation measures in place.
The orders and new restrictions on places such as health clubs, as well as social gatherings were announced just two days before the previous restrictions were set to expire on Dec. 18.
"We are not allowed to have Christmas with more than 10 people, but you go to a big retail store like Walmart or Menards and there are 1,000 people in there shopping for Christmas presents," said one disgruntled Minneota businessman."How in the world does that make sense?"
Walz also said that he would lift closures of gyms and fitness studios, youth and adult sports and outdoor entertainment venues. And restaurants, bars and breweries would be allowed to offer outdoor service.
He also announced that he would change restrictions on social gatherings beginning Friday to allow groups of up to 10 from at a maximum two households to gather indoors.
While saying that while the state's hospital capacity is still a concern, but that his previous restrictions helped curb the spread of the virus while also lowering the demand for hospital beds and ICU care.
And because children face a lower risk of developing severe symptoms from the illness, Walz said districts around the state would be able to opt for in-person learning with additional personal protective equipment and testing for teachers.
"That sun is rising, this will be the week with the longest, darkest nights," he said in his press conference. "But next week starts moving towards spring. Rest assured, this pandemic will end. But there is a lot of work left to be done."
In a press release, Minnesota Republican lawmakers were visibly angered at Walz's latest restrictions, saying small businesses are not going to be able to withstand being closed. Democrats, however, expressed their support for the new restrictions.
The following is a more breakdown of the new or extended restrictions:
Elementary schools are allowed reopen as early as Jan. 18 with new mitigation measures in place. The decision on whether to use in-person instruction would be up to district leaders.
Restaurants, bars and breweries can remain open for takeout and delivery and will be able to offer outdoor service at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 guests. And they will also face a 10 p.m. closing time for onsite service.
Indoor social gatherings, while still not recommended, are now allowed in groups of up to 10. Those gatherings are not to include people from more than two households.
Gyms and health clubs will be allowed to reopen for individual exercise at 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 people. Masks and social distancing are required. Guidance for group classes is forthcoming and those will be allowed to restart Jan. 4.
Youth and adult sports can resume Jan. 4 with additional guidance set to come out ahead of that date.
Outdoor entertainment venues can reopen at 25 percent capacity of up to 100 people. Indoor entertainment centers such as theaters, museums and bowling alleys are to remain closed.