Coronavirus: MDH Issues More Restaurants Cease-And-Desist Orders

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health has issued more cease-and-desist orders and notices of license suspension against restaurants and bars that it says violated the statewide coronavirus restrictions.

Bars, restaurants, and breweries must remain closed for indoor dining under the latest state order from Gov. Tim Walz.

Health officials said Wednesday that Cornerstone Café & Catering in Monticello, M.B.’s Little Gourmet Deli in Virginia, and The Pour House in Clark’s Grove "violated executive orders designed to protect their employees, customers and communities from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Officials also issued a notice of license suspension to The Interchange in Albert Lea, which was previously given a cease-and-desist order.

MDH said the following inspections took place before their enforcement actions:

On Dec. 18, MDH inspected Cornerstone Café & Catering in Monticello. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-premises consumption in violation of Executive Order 20-99, and employees were working without masks in violation of Executive Order 20-81.

On Dec. 18, MDH inspected M.B.’s Little Gourmet Deli in Virginia. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-premises consumption of food and beverage, in violation of Executive Order 20-99, and an employee was working without a mask, in violation of Executive Order 20-81.

On Dec. 19, MDH inspected The Pour House in Clark’s Grove. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-premises consumption in violation of Executive Order 20-99.

On Dec. 18, MDH issued a cease-and-desist order to The Interchange in Albert Lea after finding the establishment was open for on-site consumption of food and beverages in violation of Executive Order 20-99. Dec 23, a license suspension notice was issued to the establishment.

MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff said enforcement actions are a last resort.

"COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic," Huff said in a news release.

"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."