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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL)

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Moving forward in the time of COVID-19

Friday, May 1, 2020

Rep. Marquart

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced the extension of the “Stay at Home” Executive Order by an additional two weeks while allowing customer-facing retail stores to operate with curbside delivery and pickup. You can read the Executive Order here, view slides from the governor’s presentation here, and watch a recording of the entire announcement here

I understand the uncertainty and frustration many of you are feeling as we continue to battle and cope with COVID-19. Thank you for the sacrifices all of you are making to help keep our communities safe. This includes following the Stay at Home orders and businesses and employees which are closed and out of work. These actions have literally saved lives and allowed our economy to safely and gradually return to work.

I see the light at the end of the tunnel as we move forward. We are moving to a new phase of the COVID-19 fight as we have slowed the spread of the virus, built up needed medical capabilities and are now safely opening up more and more businesses. Every step we take allows us to move closer to getting back to normal. The actions we have taken will allow us to build a stronger, safer, and better Minnesota as we come out of this crisis.

 

Dials April 30 2020


Path forward April 20 2020

Opening of customer-facing retail stores to curbside delivery and pickup

As part of today’s announcement, customer-facing retail stores will be able to operate similar to restaurants, with curbside delivery and pickup, starting on Monday. This isn’t the return to normal that many are hoping for, but it is a pathway to getting back to work for many in our community in a way that is safe and prevents loss of life.

Starting May 4, retail businesses and other non-critical businesses may begin offering curbside pick-up. This will put up to 30,000 Minnesotans back to work in a safe, coordinated way. Businesses must:

  • Develop and publicly post a plan for how to open safely.
  • Use online payment whenever possible.
  • Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment.
  • In curbside pick-up scenarios, social distancing guidelines apply. If possible, customers should not leave their vehicle.
  • In delivery scenarios, items should be deposited outside a customer’s residence.

 

Buying time to build up needed COVID-19 resources

 In the time Minnesotans have bought by staying home, Minnesota has: 

  • Announced a landmark testing strategy that will allow us to complete up to 20,000 tests a day and test every symptomatic Minnesotan.
  • Built hospital capacity and finalized a lease on an alternate care site to make sure that all Minnesotans who need care can receive it. 
  • Worked to acquire more personal protective equipment to protect our frontline workers.

Minnesotans should also continue to telework whenever possible, wear face masks in public, screen for symptoms and regularly check their temperature, and maintain physical distance from each other.

Chart April 30 2020

Public Input on Elective Surgeries

As the Minnesota Department of Health prepares for the next steps on revising the executive order on elective procedures, they'll be taking public input on the issue until Saturday, May 2, at noon. 

Input will be used, along with federal guidance, to better allow for elective procedures to resume safely in Minnesota while maintaining the critical PPE and surge capacity we may need. You can find more information and provide input here.

 

Please Contact me

Please contact me if you need help getting answers to your questions. Send an email to rep.paul.marquart@house.mn, call 1-800-551-5520 to leave me a message, or subscribe to my email updates at www.house.mn/04B. The best place to quickly find accurate, up-to-date information is www.mn.gov/covid19

Thank you for everything you are doing to care for each other and protect the health of your neighbors. Have a safe and nice weekend.

 

Sincerely,
Paul Marquart