Created: December 18, 2020 03:48 PM
A court has granted a temporary restraining order against a Lakeville restaurant that's violated COVID-19 restrictions, meaning it will now have to close for on-premises dining.
The Minnesota Department of Health said Friday that it issued cease-and-desist order to four restaurants who've violated state restrictions by offering on-premises dining — Alibi Drinkery, in Lakeville; The Interchange, in Albert Lea; The Pizza Depot, in Becker; and Hooligans Lakeside, in Lake Park.
According to MDH, both restaurants' owners indicated they would continue violating the state's order when initially contacted.
"COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic," MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff said. "Our preference is always to work with business to bring them into compliance, and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort. The vast majority of businesses are doing their best to help slow down the spread of COVID-19, and we owe it to them to have a consistent and fair enforcement approach."