Restaurant owner arrested after breaching Michigan Covid orders

Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria had its licence suspended on 20 January after it refused to close

A restaurant owner in Michigan was arrested after she ignored a court order that was issued when she allegedly refused to abide by the state’s Covid-19 protocols.

Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, 55, was arrested at around 5:45am on Friday by Michigan State Police, according to a statement by the state’s attorney general Dana Nessel.

Ms Pavlos-Hackney, who owns Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in Holland, Michigan, was taken into custody after she ignored an arrest warrant that gave her until Thursday to turn herself in.

The restaurant owner first clashed with the state in November, after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services banned indoor dining amid a spike in coronavirus cases.

Marlena’s Bistro remained open despite the ban, with a sign posted on its front door reading: “Welcome. We are a Constitutionally Compliant Business. We are not infringing on anyone’s inalienable rights.

“By law, we do not follow any of the governor’s, mayor’s, health department’s, or other government agency orders or suggestions pertaining to social distancing or mask wearing.”

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On 20 January, Ms Pavlos-Hackney’s restaurant had its licence suspended for breaking Covid-19 public health orders, but remained open despite a judge upholding the suspension in early February.

Marlena’s Bistro has remained open in the time since and opened on Friday morning without Ms Pavlos-Hackney, according to NBC News.

Ms Pavlos-Hackney is scheduled to make her first appearance in front of a judge on Friday afternoon and is currently in custody at Ingham County Jail.

Since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has recorded more than 680,000 coronavirus cases and at least 16,835 deaths.

According to Johns Hopkins University, there are now more than 29.6 million people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached 539,966.

The Independent has contacted Marlena’s Bistro for comment.