A federal judge has rejected the restaurant industry legal challenge to Michigan’s temporary ban on indoor dining.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney wrote there is “a plausible explanation for the emergency order. Restaurant patrons cannot wear a mask while eating or drinking.”
The state health department imposed the temporary ban on indoor dining two weeks ago as COVID-19 cases were spiking in Michigan.
Judge Maloney conceded that the order puts many Michigan restaurants and bars at financial risk.
The C.E.O. of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association says the industry group will now focus its efforts on trying to stop state officials from extending the temporary indoor dining ban beyond December 8th.