Four Bars And Restaurants Fined And Three Others Have Liquor Licenses Suspended For COVID Violations

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued citations with fines of up to $5,000 and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission suspended the liquor licenses for bars and restaurants on Wednesday alleging they were in violation of the public health order issued Nov. 15.

The liquor licenses for three businesses in Newaygo, Fremont and Fenton were suspended. Four businesses in Sandusky, Calumet, Lapeer and Fenton were fined between $1,000 and $5,000. The violations were of the most recent MDHHS order put out by director Robert Gordon. Restaurants and bars were to close dine-in services effective Nov. 18.

“Our office is working closely with the Commission as it exercises its duties and we are prepared to prosecute these summary suspensions,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel in a press release. “Although none of us wants to take such actions, the deliberate and blatant defiance of the state emergency public health orders by these owners put their businesses at risk. While we are heartbroken at the toll these closures invariably have on the businesses affected, first and foremost the state has an obligation to protect the lives of our residents.”