Our local bars and restaurants prepare to reopen

Our local bars and restaurants reopened on June 1st. Let’s take a look below at what that looks like locally, and also on a larger scale.

What to know about Minnesota’s latest guidelines for reopening bars, restaurants and salons

Gov. Tim Walz said that beginning June 1st, bars and restaurants can serve customers outdoors. The announcement was the governor’s latest step to relax restrictions on public life meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, which health officials say has killed more than 750 Minnesotans since mid-March amid the lockdown on businesses and travel.

Walz has allowed many businesses, including retail stores and malls, to reopen under a set of rules and guidelines. Yet bars, restaurants, gyms, salons, theaters are among those that have remained closed to in-house customers.

Not all of those businesses, deemed “public accommodations,” received a green light to open. And the Walz administration gave no timeline for when gyms and theaters can resume indoor services. The same is true for large in-person religious services. But the governor did lay out what a partial reopening might be like for businesses and houses of worship that remain closed.

Walz said his guidelines — which he termed “maddeningly complex” — are not the impediment to reopening businesses, they are the keys to reopening. “Minnesotans are going to be able to get back out there and try and make sure we’re supporting these local businesses,” Walz said. “While it’s not perfect, it’s safe and it’s moving the dial.”

Here’s what you need to know about the latest announcement:

What is the justification for the governor’s new guidance?

The state has maintained COVID-19 is more likely to spread the longer people are near each other, and the closer people are to each other. Sitting at an indoor restaurant for an hour is riskier than briefly shopping at a store, state officials say.

In keeping with that, state officials said outdoor service is less dangerous. Steve Grove, the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, said there is inherent risk when people sweat and breathe heavily in a gym, or sing together at a church.

Though he acknowledged there are few, if any, “outdoor barbers,” which prompted the administration’s decision to allow indoor services.

“We have clear evidence from health experts that outdoor settings are a lot safer than indoor settings,” Grove said.

Bars and restaurants can open outdoors

Starting June 1, bars and restaurants will be able to open outdoor space but not serve customers indoors. Tables at outdoor patios must allow at least 6 feet of space between customers and tables can only serve four people — or six if the people are all part of “one family unit.”

Workers will have to wear masks. Customers will be encouraged to wear masks. No more than 50 people can be on a business premise at any time.

While not every business has a patio or outdoor space, Grove said restaurants and bars should get creative with in partnership with cities and local governments to use sidewalks or parking spaces.

Grove said eventually, in the next reopening phase, some indoor service will be allowed.

Barbers and salons (and tattoo parlors) will operate with limitations

The state will now allow “personal care services” — which includes hair salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors — to open starting June 1. 

But those businesses will have to implement a COVID-19 plan to mitigate risk and limit the number of clients on their premises at any time. Customers will have to be at least 6 feet apart from others (except when, say, getting a haircut) and businesses can allow inside only 25 percent of capacity as outlined in the fire code.

Like bars and restaurants, walk-in service is banned, and both customers and workers have to wear masks at all times. If a service can’t be done without a mask, it’s not allowed.

What remains closed

It’s unclear when large religious services, gyms, theaters and crowds at sporting events can resume. 

But “Phase 3” for reopening, the next round of relaxed restrictions, may include gyms, outdoor concerts and movies, with limitations on the number of people involved. In Phase 3, outdoor religious services with up to 100 people will be allowed if everyone involved wears masks and can maintain 6 feet of social distancing. (Until Phase 3, people can gather in groups of 10 or fewer indoors or outdoors for religious services.) Grove, the DEED commissioner, said there will be even more restrictions, including on singing. 

Grove said singing is “one of the worst things you can do,” because it can project infectious particles further into the air than talking. After a choir practice with one symptomatic person in Washington state, 87 percent of those who attended developed COVID-19.

Bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades and other theaters will remain closed under Phase 3, but may open under Phase 4. Grove said there are no dates for when those phases begin, though “the governor wants to move as quickly as we can.”

Campgrounds to open, too

All campgrounds can open, with some restrictions, beginning June 1.

Local establishments prep for the June 1st opening

Diamond’s Bar & Grill, Grygla

Owner Randy Stephan provided the following information:

Diamond’s will be open every Monday through Saturday from 12pm-10pm. No Sunday hours as of right now. Tables will be set up outside of the building.

Yo-Hawn’s Bar & Grill, Grygla

Owner Karen Severts provided the following information:

Yo-Hawn’s will be open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11am-9pm with outdoor/patio service. They will be following CDC requirements and ask that you do not come in if you have any COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with those that do. Social distancing will be practiced at 6’. You are asked to call for reservations (294-6197). Only 4 people are allowed per table; 6 being allowed if they are from the same family.

Grain Bin Café, Grygla

Owner Kim Cleven provided the following information:

The Café will be open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am-5pm. Tables will be set up outside with a full menu and daily specials available.

Goodridge Municipal Liquor Store

Manager Shannon Moen provided the following information:

Service will be provided outside, as required. The hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday from 1pm-9pm. Thursday and Fridays are 1pm-11pm. Saturdays are 11am-11pm.