UNDATED -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled against two businesses that stayed open during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Norm’s Wayside in Buffalo and Mission Tavern in Merrifield filed an appeal after each business had its liquor license suspended for remaining open during the lockdown in 2020.

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Court records show several complaints were received, and health investigators issued a “cease and desist” order. The businesses remained open after receiving the order, and as a result, the Minnesota Department of Health suspended the liquor license for both businesses, revoked the license for Norms Wayside, and fined each business $10,000. The suspensions and revocations were stayed.

Norm’s Wayside and Mission Tavern sued the state, saying the orders were unconstitutional because they “lacked a rational basis”.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled the Minnesota Department of Health had the authority under the Health Enforcement Consolidation Act of 1993.

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