[ad_1]
A Minnesota restaurant is being sued by the state for flouting coronavirus restrictions and refusing to stop in-person restaurant operations.
State Attorney General Keith Ellison on Thursday announced a motion for a temporary restraining order against Alibi drink in Lakeville in order to force it to shut down. Under Gov. Tim Walz’s original decree released in November, restaurants and bars were forced to shut down domestic service until Friday amid an increase in COVID-19 cases.
On Wednesday, the mandate was extended to January 10.
OMAR SAYS HIS FATHER DEAD OF CORONAVIRUS DUE TO TRUMP’S ‘CRIMINAL NEGLIGATION’
“It will result in immediate and irreparable harm if the state is required to wait until Alibi Drinkery can be fully heard in opposition to the state’s request for a temporary injunction,” Ellison said in a statement Thursday.
Lisa Zarza, co-owner of the establishment, did not respond to Fox News messages or calls to the restaurant.
In court documents, Ellison cited Zarza’s statements to local media that she intended to stay open despite protocols and photos of the restaurant showing crowds not wearing masks inside. He said she was asked in a media interview what she would do if officials asked her to shut down.
In response, Zarza said, “You know what? We’ll see them in court,” according to the documents.
“I put a big target on our back for a reason because I know they are going to come after every business anyway and I wanted to make sure I had thousands of supporters here to show us that they support us, ”she told NBC in Minneapolis, KARE.
On Thursday, the establishment’s Facebook page posted: “OPEN TODAY. COME EAT AND DRINK!”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is asking a court to force a restaurant to close after its owners continue to defy indoor service bans.
(Google Maps)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The lawsuit comes after an announcement on Wednesday by the Alcohol and Gaming Law Enforcement Division of its intention to suspend the liquor license for Alibi Drinkery and neighbors at Rum Restaurant in Princeton for 60 days, pending a hearing.
The Princeton restaurant has voluntarily closed and is complying with the executive order after being sued by the state on Thursday, Ellison said.
“I am happy to see more and more restaurants accepting their responsibility to keep the people of Minnesota safe and to comply with the executive order,” he said. “We will continue to hold accountable those who insist on breaking the order and endangering the lives of their customers, employees and communities.”
[ad_2]
Source link