Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday afternoon, Governor Walz announced a “Stay at Home” order and extended the current closures for bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations under previous executive orders until May 1. He also issued an Executive Order extending distance learning for schools until May 4.
The order will last two weeks and will limit movement outside homes beyond essential trips for two weeks. It is effective Friday, March 27 at 11:59PM until Friday, April 10.
According to the Governor, these measures are needed to delay the "peak" in total cases, and allow Minnesota to build hospital and ICU capacity and to stockpile personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinics and hospital workers. Data shows that the survival rate for severe cases is 10x higher when patients have the ICU care they need.
I know many of you have questions about how this order impacts your daily lives and/or business. I have compiled information and resources for you that I hope will help better explain what this order means for you and your family.
Under the order, Minnesotans are allowed to leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities and while doing so they should practice social distancing, this is not a comprehensive list:
- Health/safety activities
- Outdoor activities
- Purchasing necessary supplies and services like groceries and medicine
- Essential and interstate travel
- Care of others
- Displacement
- Relocation to ensure safety.
Workers who provide critical services are exempt to travel to their jobs. This list includes:
- Healthcare and public health
- Law enforcement
- Public safety and first responders
- Childcare
- Food and agriculture
- News media
- Energy
- Water and wastewater
- Critical manufacturing
This is not a comprehensive list, and Minnesotans should visit https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/ for additional guidance.
There is also a state email address that businesses can contact if they have questions: criticalsectors@state.mn.us
If your business is currently considered non-essential and you would like to request an exemption from the "Stay at Home" order, please submit a request to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development here.
I am including a link to the Governor's full order that explains all the details and provides answers to many of the questions you probably have. You can also email or call my office, and I will work to get answers to you as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Stay at Home order.
Info about critical business exemptions.
Please continue to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.
I can be reached by phone at 651-296-2907 or via email at rep.linda.runbeck@house.mn.
God Bless,
Linda