Governor Tim Walz, via Executive Order 20-96 issued November 10, 2020, placed further restrictions on social gatherings, restaurants, and bars in Minnesota. Specifically, Governor Walz’s order does the following (most changes effective November 13, 2020, with some exceptions):
- Social Gatherings: Effective November 13, 2020, social gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, may not exceed 10 people or involve members of more than 3 households (regardless of the size of gathering). The social gathering restrictions do not apply to Places of Public accommodation that are otherwise covered by other parts of the Executive Order. This is a major change in that the restrictions apply to both indoor and outdoor gatherings and regardless of masks or social distancing.
- Celebrations and Receptions: Effective November 13, 2020, venues that host receptions and social gatherings for private parties, weddings, funerals, life milestones (e.g. birthdays), planned religious services, and other similar occasions may proceed if the implement and develop a Preparedness plan and meet several additional restrictions. Events that permit food/beverage consumption on the premises may not take place between 10:00pm and 4:00am. Effective November 27, 2020 at 10:00pm, celebrations, receptions, and gatherings under this section that permit on premises consumption may not exceed 50 people. Effective December 11, 2020 at 10:00pm, celebrations, receptions, and gatherings under this section that permit on premises consumption of food and beverages may not exceed 25 people.
- Restaurants: Effective November 13, 2020, restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, brewer taprooms, bars, dining clubs, and other Places of Public Accommodation offering food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), or tobacco products for on-premises consumption are limited to 50% occupancy with a maximum of 150 people provided that physical distancing of 6 feet between parties seated at different tables is maintained. For establishments that offer outdoor seating, the combine total of outdoor and indoor seating may not exceed 150 people. These establishments must close and remain closed each day to on-premises consumption between the hours of 10:00pm and 4:00am. Delivery, window service, walk-up service, and drive-up service is still permitted during these hours.
- Venues (indoor and indoor): Effective November 13, 2020, venues hosting indoor and outdoor events, entertainment, or recreation such as theaters, cinemas, concert halls, museums, stadiums, bowling allies, and similar venues that serve food/beverages for on-premises consumption must not offer food and beverage service(s) between the hours of 10:00pm and 4:00am, and must prohibit on-premises food and beverage consumption during the same periods.
- Enforcement: Effective November 13, 2020, fines for violation of the Executive order are up to $1,000 per individual or $3,000 for a business for willful criminal violations. The Attorney General may also investigate conduct and impose civil fines of u p to $25,000 per occurrence plus costs of investigation and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Virtus Law, PLLC continues to monitor changes in this area and will continue to post relevant updates to this website.