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Bars Across Northern Michigan Are Closed Again

Bar
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an order that will allow Detroit’s casinos to re-open next week, but at a reduced capacity.  It could also force many bars and restaurants in northwest lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to shut down Friday.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Theorderapplies to bars that derive at least 70 percent of their gross receipts from alcohol sales and don’t offer outdoor seating.  Whitmer said in a written statement that she issued the order due to a wave of new COVID-19 infections related to large public gatherings.  Scott Ellis is with the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.  He said the order is bad news for Michigan’s hospitality industry.

“Because our bars and restaurants are not going to survive much longer, especially if we keep running into these problems.”

The order takes effect Friday morning.  The limits on indoor alcohol service already apply to bars and restaurants in most of lower Michigan. 

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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

Rick Pluta is the managing editor for the Michigan Public Radio Network.
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