(BLAINE) – Lori Higgins, president of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, said if any of her member businesses plan to be open in defiance of Governor Tim Walz’s latest COVID-19 restrictions, she’s not aware of it. Hundreds of businesses statewide, including but not limited to restaurants, have publicized that they would be open despite Gov. Walz saying restaurants and bars could not have indoor service and gyms would have to be open only to 25% capacity.
“I think what’s important to share is that this just shows the undeniable frustration of businesses,” said Higgins in an interview with North Metro TV News. “When you talk about businesses, there’s a face behind that. That’s a person. That’s someone with a family that they’re trying to support.”
Higgins said she continues to be a resource for her member businesses who want to comply with state guidelines for safety and continues to talk with elected officials about what the state can do and the county can do to help support these businesses.
“Now to have (the restrictions) extended for several weeks is just going to be additional hardship for a lot of these, and we expect to see more doors close as a result.”
