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St Paul ( KROC AM News) - A southeast Minnesota fitness center that has defied Minnesota's latest COVID-19 restrictions now has the top prosecutor in the state in its face.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Wednesday announced his office has filed a lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order to force Plainview Wellness Center to close its doors during the duration of the latest order.

Here is a post on the center's Facebook page:

The order applies to gyms, fitness centers, bars, restaurants and other venues.

 

Keith-Ellison
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Ellison says his office has the authority to enforce that prohibition and seek relief if necessary. Ellison says his office “ first reached out to Plainview Wellness Center to educate the management on the requirements” of the order. He said instead of complying, “management threatened to continue to operate and stay open to the public in violation of the Order’s requirements, thereby potentially exposing more Minnesotans to community spread of COVID-19.”

He added:

“Governor Walz has made the tough but smart choice to dial back activities that data have shown spread COVID-19. know these requirements are hard on folks — but fortunately, the vast majority of people and businesses affected are making that sacrifice and complying with the order, because they know we’re all responsible for stopping the spread of COVID. I’d much rather that everyone comply — but when it’s necessary to go to court to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect compliant businesses from unfair competition, I won’t hesitate to do so.

Ellison says this is the first enforcement action his office has brought under the order. He says of the more than 100 businesses and events that the Attorney General’s office and its partners at the Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Labor and Industry have worked with to gain compliance with requirements to stop the spread of COVID-19, this lawsuit represents only the third enforcement action the State has needed to bring.

Ellison reminds Minnesotans that they can report COVID-19-related concerns or complaints either through the dedicated COVID-19 online complaint form on his website or by calling his office at (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787.

 

See Striking Photos of the Tourism Industry During COVID-19

 

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