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Coronavirus In Minnesota: Brewers Asking Gov. Walz For More Options To Sell Alcohol Under Stay-At-Home Order

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A push is underway to allow for more options for Minnesota breweries to sell alcohol as bars, taprooms and restaurants across the state are empty of customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is calling on establishments to sign a letter asking Gov. Tim Walz for an order of regulatory relief.

"Our businesses support the hundreds of thousands of employees statewide that have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic," the letter says. "Though we understand the need to close breweries, restaurants, and bars to keep Minnesotans safe, we are in grave danger of shutting down forever."

What the guild hopes the governor will allow is more options for breweries and restaurants to sell alcohol, as many establishments are holding to products they can't currently sell. An example of such an option would be authorizing restaurants to do sealed alcohol takeout sales.

The guild says that similar relief has been enacted to help restaurants and bars in California.

Last month, Gov. Tim Walz ordered bars and restaurants in Minnesota to close to dine-in customers. While many establishments shifted to takeout, bars and taprooms have largely remained closed.

The governor's stay-at-home order is slated to expire Friday, although he has suggested it'll be extended until the end of the month.

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