Coronavirus: St. Paul Pub Faces License Suspension

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health Tuesday said it issued a license suspension to Patrick McGovern’s pub in St. Paul after the pub "violated executive orders designed to protect their employees, customers, and communities from the COVID-19 pandemic."

According to investigators, the pub allowed indoor dining on Dec. 28 in spite of Gov. Tim Walz's latest executive order related that prohibits it:

On Dec. 28, MDH inspected Patrick McGovern’s Pub in St. Paul. During the inspection, MDH staff found the establishment was open for on-site consumption of food and/or beverage, in violation of Executive Order 20-99. Customers were served in a patio area which has retractable walls and ceiling that open to the outdoors; however, the walls and ceiling were closed, therefore allowing customers to dine indoors. A 60-day license suspension notice was served on Dec. 29. A cease-and-desist order was not issued because the establishment closed the patio to become compliant.

MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff says enforcement actions "are a last resort" when education and outreach are not enough.

"We know most bars and restaurants are complying, and that’s evident when we look at the positive impact the executive order has had on the COVID-19 trends in Minnesota," Huff said in a news release.

"Daily cases numbers are levelling off and the pressure on our health systems has decreased. Bars and restaurants operating in violation jeopardize that progress and put their employees, customers and the surrounding community at risk for more COVID-19 transmission."