Judge orders closure of defiant ABQ restaurant

 An Albuquerque restaurant that has operated in defiance of city- and state-ordered COVID-19 health rules was ordered by a judge Friday to cease operations, city officials said.

Backstreet Grill’s health permit was suspended earlier this year and later revoked due to the management’s refusal to comply with Environmental Health Department regulations, the agency said Friday.

On Friday, 2nd Judicial District Judge Nancy Franchini ordered the restaurant to close because it lacked a city food-service permit, the agency said.

Backstreet Grill has operated without a city-issued food service permit since May 6.

The dispute centers on the failure of restaurant employees to wear masks or face coverings in the workplace, as required by the state’s Public Health Order and COVID-19 Safe Practices...MORE