Walz to announce loosening of restrictions on indoor dining, other settings on Wednesday

Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce the loosening of restrictions on indoor dining, as well as other settings.

Walz is expected to make an announcement regarding the restrictions at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

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Sources tell KSTP’s Tom Hauser that the rollback will effect bars, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and other establishments. Indoor capacity limits and restrictions are expected to be similar to those that were in effect in October and November.

TOMORROW: Gov. Walz to announce loosening of restrictions on bars, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys etc. I’m told it will include indoor capacity limits and restrictions similar to October and November before the “pause.”Details carried live on Ch. 5/KSTP.com at 2 p.m. pic.twitter.com/akDa1u3djy

— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) January 6, 2021

Current restrictions do not allow indoor dining. Restaurants are allowed to provide carry-out, delivery and outdoor dining.

A spokesman for the governor’s office said Walz will make the move Wednesday as the state’s coronavirus numbers have improved in recent weeks.

However, it will also come as restaurant and bar owners have increasingly pushed back on coronavirus measures that have pushed some to the edge of survival.

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Walz has gradually relaxed virus restrictions, moving first to get elementary students back into school, reopen fitness centers and restart youth sports.

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But he had kept bars and restaurants closed for indoor service, arguing it was necessary to bridge a gap to when vaccinations were widely available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.