The Minnesota Department of Health is working on a settlement agreement with The Green Lantern Bar and Grill in rural Brainerd after taking punitive actions in response to violations of executive orders related to COVID-19.
Doug Schultz, public information officer for the health department, confirmed Friday, Feb. 12, the state issued a cease and desist order to the business Jan. 8, requiring a 72-hour closure at the time. The health department also issued a 60-day license suspension notice on that date and a $5,000 administrative penalty order Jan. 22. The health department took these actions in response to The Green Lantern allowing on-site consumption indoors during the time executive orders prohibited this, Schultz stated.
“The administrative penalty order was issued after determining the facility had violated executive orders designed to protect its employees, customers and community from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Schultz wrote in an emailed statement. “That’s general language we use to describe a variety of circumstance leading to APOs.”
In the meantime, Schultz said the health department is working on a settlement offer with the business to hold off on a majority of the penalty and suspension for a one-year period if the business remains in compliance.
Part of that settlement agreement, which has yet to be finalized, included a required weeklong closure. The health department agreed to allow the business to serve the seven-day suspension before the settlement was finalized, Schultz said. The closure took place Feb. 5 through Thursday, Feb. 11.
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Reached by phone Wednesday, Feb. 16, the business declined to comment. The Green Lantern announced the closure on its Facebook page Feb. 3, attributing it to an employee fishing trip.
