Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) today released the following statement in response to Governor Walz changing COVID restrictions:

“I’ve been a strong advocate for allowing our businesses to open, but with proper notice so that they can prepare their facilities and employees.

Governor Walz has given our restaurants and bars less than two business days to prepare for the second busiest day of the year for the restaurant industry. Valentine’s Day is a $21 billion holiday, and while I know our restaurants and businesses would love to operate at a higher capacity for this holiday, our Governor is giving them one day to prepare when they would realistically need at least a week. Governor Walz claims he empathizes with these business owners, but not giving them adequate time to prepare for higher capacities sends a completely different message.”