Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday afternoon that his office has filed a lawsuit against the Plainview Wellness Center to prohibit it from remaining open to the public.
Under Gov. Tim Walz’s latest shutdown order, fitness centers are required to close their doors until Dec. 18, despite objections from gym owners who have pointed out that their industry is connected to just 747 COVID-19 cases in Minnesota.
When contacted by the Attorney General’s Office, the Plainview Wellness Center in Wabasha County said it would remain open in violation of Walz’s order. Ellison has now filed a lawsuit and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent that from happening.
“Gov. Walz has made the tough but smart choice to dial back activities that data have shown spread COVID-19,” Ellison said in a press release. “I 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.”
“I remind everyone that COVID-19 is deadly serious: it doesn’t care who you are, where you live, or how you contract it. More than 10 million Americans, including more than 275,000 Minnesotans, have already suffered from it, some with long-lasting consequences. More 250,000 Americans, including more than 3,000 Minnesotans and my own mother, have already died from it. No one is immune from COVID-19, but we all have the power to stop it,” he continued.
The lawsuit marks the first enforcement action brought by Ellison under Walz’s new order, and the third since the start of the pandemic.
His office has also threatened to sue a restaurant owner in Lynd, Minnesota, who plans to open her doors for in-person service Friday night, Alpha News reported.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
