City considers resolution for bars, restaurants

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News
In preparing for the limited opening of bars and restaurants in Minnesota for outdoor dining and beverage service, the Benson City Council conducted a special meeting Tuesday evening.

At the meeting, it was to consider a resolution to allow for outdoor service and for the expansion of facilities to provide that service.

The resolution states that:

“The city manager is authorized to accept, review and either approve or deny applications from local businesses that wish to expand their outdoor service during the declared emergency.

“The city manager is authorized to allow the use of public areas, including local streets and sidewalks, for businesses that wish to expand their outdoor service during the declared emergency.”
Minnesota restaurants and bars may reopen June 1 for outdoor dining with social distancing and other safeguards, while salons can resume cutting hair at partial capacity, Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday, drawing sharp criticism from those who had
hoped for faster steps to help struggling businesses.

It was Walz’s latest move to “turn the dial” in a gradual return to normal since the coronavirus pandemic cost hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans their jobs within a few weeks. He said the slow pace reflects the need to prepare for the coming stresses on the health care system as COVID-19 cases peak in the coming weeks...
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