A circuit court judge must respond to a petition by a group of restaurant owners seeking to overturn a ban on indoor dining in St. Louis County.
Associate Circuit Court Judge John Lasatar, who has ruled against the bar and restaurant owners, was ordered by the Missouri Court of Appeals to respond to the petition filed by the plaintiffs by Wednesday.
The owners, backed by the Missouri Restaurant Association, are seeking to block the county from enforcing the Nov. 17 regulation that bars indoor dining.
Dozens of cease and desist orders were issued following the move by the County Executive Sam Page, while at least five bar/restaurants were ordered to close altogether, though two later came to an agreement to continue curbside and takeaway.
Judge Lasater, denying a motion said he believes "the public interest is best served right now by denying this restraining order," adding that the ban on indoor dining is aimed at "trying to protect the public," according to a report by the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
According to the latest figures, St. Louis County reported 617 news cases of COVID-19 Monday, down from approximately 850 a day in mid-November. The number of coronavirus-linked deaths is 1,098 from 58,883 positive tests.
The county on Friday suspended the license of a fifth business, Whalen's Bar on St. Ann's Lane, after being accused of serving patrons inside.
This followed the ordered closure of Bartolino's South in Green Park; Final Destination Bar & Cafe in St. Ann, O.T.'s Bar in Breckenridge Hills and Satchmo's in Chesterfield.
The county Department of Public Health did not respond to the St. Louis Record when asked exactly how many bars and restaurants were issued cease and desist orders, or how many were ordered to shut.
In response to the restrictions, St. Louis County Council voted 4-3 to undo the restrictions and for the health department to seek approval from representatives prior to introducing any new orders. Democrat Rita Heard Days (D-1st) joined the council's three Republicans in the vote.
Page has said the vote is symbolic and not legally binding.