It’s expected Governor Tim Walz will announce this afternoon (3pm) that Minnesota’s bars, restaurants, salons, barbershops, and some other public venues could likely re-open June 1st — but the question is, with what restrictions? There’s speculation that restaurants and bars could be allowed to re-open only with outdoor or “patio” dining — and that the governor is getting pushback on that. Industry experts say many bars and restaurants on the verge of permanent closure don’t have the option for outdoor dining — and even those that do can’t make enough money to survive without indoor tables — particularly because of expected table spacing to maintain social distancing.
And then there’s the question of municipal approval, if a restaurant or bar asks permission to add tables on the sidewalk, patio or rooftop.