The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has issued emergency suspensions of liquor licenses three at three bars for violating the recent COVID-19 restrictions.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' order was put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health by establishing restrictions on gatherings, including prohibiting gatherings of patrons in food service establishments. It went into effect on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect until December 8, 2020.

According to Click on Detroit, the state of Michigan has suspended the liquor licenses of the following establishments:

  • Jimmy’s Roadhouse in Newaygo
  • Brew Works of Fremont in Fremont
  • The Meeting Place in Fenton

The state says the violations are:

  • Allowing non-residential, in-person gatherings.
  • Providing in-person dining.
  • Failure to require face coverings for staff and patrons.
  • Failure to prohibit patrons from congregating.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement:

“Our office is working closely with the Commission as it exercises its duties and we are prepared to prosecute these summary suspensions. Although none of us wants to take such actions, the deliberate and blatant defiance of the state emergency public health orders by these owners put their businesses at risk. While we are heartbroken at the toll these closures invariably have on the businesses affected, first and foremost the state has an obligation to protect the lives of our residents.”

A virtual hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is scheduled on Dec. 4, 2020, for each of the establishments via Zoom to determine whether the suspension should continue, or other fines and penalties should be imposed.

MDHHS also issued citations to the following restaurants:

  • Big Boy of Sandusky, 422 West Sanilac, Sandusky ($5,000)
  • Café Rosetta,102 Fifth Street, Calumet ($1,000)
  • Woodchips Barbecue, 315 West Nepessing Street, Lapeer ($1,000)
  • The Meeting Place, 3600 Owen Road, Fenton ($1,000)

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said,

“The vast majority of restaurant and bar owners are doing the right thing and they have temporarily closed their indoor service to help prevent the spread of the virus. We know this is not easy for anyone, this is not an action we take lightly, but the sooner we can mitigate the spread of COVID-19 the sooner we can all get back to doing the things we enjoy.”

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