MN Governor Walz Issues Update on Stay-at-Home Order | COVID-19 Update

Governor Walz loosens Stay-at-Home Order, effective May 18

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz addressed Minnesotans to discuss the state’s next steps to address COVID-19.

The following is a point-by-point recap.

• COVID-19 has claimed the lives of over 600 Minnesotans
• We’ll never forget those who died, or the heroes who answered the call during this crisis
• We have used our time wisely (referring to the stay at home order) — we have built our hospital capacity so that we could ensure as many Minnesotans as possible receive the care they need when they need it. 
• We have increased the number of ventilators and ICU beds for when people fall really ill
• We’ve sourced critical care and personal protective equipment for doctors, nurses, first responders and others on the front line of this fight
• We’ve launched an aggressive testing strategy with Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and our hospitals to test every symptomatic Minnesotan
• Today we hit our all-time record with over 6,700 Minnesotans tested for COVID-19
• We know there’s no stopping the storm of COVID-19 from hitting Minnesota, but we’ve prepared for it 
• We’ve successfully pushed out and reduced the peak of this virus
• We’ve made great progress to ensure we can treat Minnesotans who fall ill
• At this point in time, Minnesota is staying steady in hospitalizations with the capacity that we’ve built while you stayed home, we can chart a new way forward.
• We believe that we should be able to handle an increase in cases as more people move out and about 
• We can use what we’ve learned about the virus and how it spreads to inform our next steps
• We can take a “measured, Minnesota approach” that protects public health and improve economic stability. This means cautious, strategic steps forward. And it means clear measures for determining if and when we need to pull back.
• We’re not flipping a switch, we’re slowing moving the dial and introducing more interaction between people over time.
• To safely reopen, we must take into account three critical factors:
  • How close are you to another person in a given setting or activity?
  • How long are you in that close proximity to another person?
  • How predictable is that setting?
• Starting on May 18, we’re turning the workplace dial. Non-critical businesses like retail stores and Main Street businesses can reopen if they have a plan and can operate at 50% capacity
• We can make this turn of the dial and keep people safe if we can trust each other to continue to be cautious. We need business owners to follow the new guidance to protect workers and customers, and we encourage customers to wear masks, socially distance and don’t congregate for long periods of time in stores
• As we look forward, I’ve directed my cabinet to continue the extensive discussions they’re already having with health experts and thousands of businesses on future openings. I’m directing them to offer similar  guidance on how to safely reopen open bars, restaurants, salons, and barber shops beginning on June 1. This will coincide with a significant increase in testing, tracing and isolating the virus in the state. 
• When the stay at home order expires on May 18, we’re replacing it with a new order that brings back more of the social interactions that are so important in life, but still ask Minnesotans to stay safe.
• “Stay Safe Minnesota” will still ask people, stay close to home, limit travel to what’s essential, but we can now gather with friends and family in groups of less than 10. 
• Governor is still asking Minnesotans not to gather in large groups, whether it be a backyard BBQ or a religious meeting at a church, synagogue or mosque 
• The safest place we can be is at home, but we can’t continue this way forever 
• This situation is fluid. There’s much we still don’t know about this virus 
• We must be prepared to dial back if needed 
• We will continue to follow the advice of public health experts and make data-driven decisions. 
• Minnesota will monitor the rate of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. If there’s a sudden rate of increase, or a potential spike on the horizon, we’ll move the dial back quickly and strategically. 
• Whenever we make any movement to ease restrictions, we must protect the safety of those returning to work. 
• Our state’s health care workers, emergency responders and other professionals are doing their jobs under demanding and stressful conditions to provide the services that Minnesotans need. 
• Executive Order signed today by the governor to ensure workers can raise concerns regarding the safety of their work environments without fear of discrimination or retaliation
• As there is more interaction between people, we must protect those in our community that are the most vulnerable to the virus.
• Governor signed another Executive Order today to strongly encourage Minnesotans at the greatest risk of serious illness to continue sheltering at home. “We know the virus rides hardest on people who already have health challenges — people who have lung and heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or weakened immune systems are more likely to end up in the hospital if they get COVID-19.” 
• People with underlying health conditions and those over the age of 65 should take extra precautions. We’re not requiring it, but it’s “strongly encouraged” that if you’re able to stay home, continue to do so.
• Those who are being asked to self-isolated will be connected to services, food, support and companionship that they will need to stay well. 
• Take the time to reach out to the seniors in our lives to see how they’re doing 
• This public health crisis is exacerbating the inequalities in our society. According to the data, disproportionate numbers of African Americans are testing positive for COVID-19. Since this pandemic struck, a third of the Native American workforce is newly unemployed. We must not look away from this reality and we must plan for and lift up every Minnesotan in our response to COVID-19
• No life is disposable in Minnesota
• It has never been more important for Minnesotans to look out for their neighbors
• We are still in the heart of this pandemic and this could go in a bad direction very quickly. “We must keep this virus at a simmer, not a boil.”
• Minnesota received a “D” in social distancing last week. We can, will and must do better. 
• We’re counting on Minnesotans to take personal responsibility for their own health and the health of their community. “Stay Safe” means:
  • Work from home if you can
  • Wear a mask when you go out shop
  • Stay close to home if you have to travel
  • Gather only in groups of 10 or less
  • Stay 6 feet apart from each other
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
  • Stay home and seek care if you’re sick. 
• We’re trusting people to stay safe by making smart choices
• However, we know this means that more people will get sick, and some will end up in the hospital. We’ve prepared for that inevitability:
  • We’ve increased ICU beds and ventilators for people who will get really sick 
  • We have masks, gowns and gloves for the health care workers who will have to take care of them
  • We have strategies for protecting those most vulnerable to COVID — those in nursing homes and those experiencing homelessness
  • We have plans for eliminating hot spots when the virus impacts workers in places like food processing plants
  • But we’ve got work to do, work that we all must do. We must continue to slow the spread of the virus. 
• We will test people and find out where the virus is spreading. When people learn they have the virus, they have to stay home so they don’t spread it.  
• We have to ease back into doing business, but not the way we used to. Employers have to implement new protections for employees and customers. We all have to remain cautious for our own health and the health of our neighbors. 
• The stay at home order is expiring, and the dials are turning, but that doesn’t mean we’re carefree and can return to the way things were. It means we have to stay safe. Take care. Care for our own health and care for your neighbor. 
• Many of you have selflessly chosen to stay home and forego celebrating important milestones, or taking long planned trips in order to slow the spread of the virus. Others have changed how you worship, work, study, exercise and connect with friends and family. And many more of you have lost your jobs, closed doors on precious businesses, and experienced real financial hardship as the virus has limited where we can gather and how we can do business. I am grateful for those sacrifices, and I am deeply sorry for all the disruption and hardship the response to the pandemic has required.
• At each turn we tried to ease the economic impact of the virus with unemployment payment, business loans, and income and food supports. We know that in many cases it wasn’t enough. We’re grateful for the generosity of foundations and individuals who are helping families fill in the gaps of rent, food and child care costs. 
• I am proud of how Minnesotans have stepped up for each other both by staying home and reaching out to those in need.
• Don’t charge forward as if everything is normal. Unfortunately we aren’t through the winter yet. These last several weeks have been difficult, and it’s going to get more challenging. But we’ll get through this. We’re resilient people with deep reserves of courage, optimism and grit. 
• No matter how daunting the challenge is, no matter how dark the times, Minnesotans’ have always risen up by coming together as One Minnesota. 

The following is a summary of the governor’s briefing with local media following his announcement:

• The governor received a question as to why some businesses have to wait until June 1 to open. He said, the trade groups told him that businesses need time to get inventory back up and employees trained. “I’m very cognizant of the sense of urgency, but I also recognize, again, we have to get this right,” Walz said.  
• Governor said continuing the stay at home order for several more months would likely lower the number of deaths, but “the issue then becomes weighing the cost of doing that.” The governor then brought up the financial cost and the reduction in childhood vaccinations since the outbreak began. “These are judgement decisions. Complex ones and pretty hard at times.” 
• The governor was asked why there couldn’t be a separate set of standards for rural Minnesota and the metro area. The governor said two of Minnesota’s three highest counties with COVID-19 are Stearns and Nobles. There’s also a significant number of asymptomatic carriers. In many rural counties, they don’t have enough ventilators if a significant outbreak were to occur. “The idea that this is a Twin Cities issue, it is now raving rural areas almost as much as anywhere else. It is certainly a bi-product of density, but if this thing gets out there, it can wreak havoc.” However, he did say that the state is looking at whether we can set up different regional standards. 
• Youth sports and summer camps — experts are trying to figure out if there are ways to social distance. This work is ongoing. Governor’s hope is to try between now and June 1 to get some guidance on what’s possible and what’s not. The new ailment affecting children that resembles Kawasaki disease is also a factor that needs to be monitored.
• Governor Walz says the crew at the MN Dept. of Education is still trying to figure out options about summer child care programs, summer school, etc. They’re looking at some type of hybrid program that allows for social distancing, especially for the students with the greatest needs.
• Minnesota Nurses Association says that we’re ending the stay at home order too soon because hospitals are still rationing PPE. The governor said he’s listened to the nurses and the procurement folks at the hospitals. The governor says we have a strategic state reserve of PPE that we are continuing to add to. However, the governor does not dispute what the nurses are saying, admitting that not all hospitals are created equal. He said people have to remain committed to social distancing. Commissioner Malcolm said, if our testing capacity remains robust, and testing positivity rates stay modest, that will be an indicator that we’re “on simmer rather than a fast boil.” Malcolm says we have to keep an eye on these things and not be afraid to move the dial back down if need be.
• Governor says not wearing a mask is “just hurting your neighbor.”
• Governor says malls will be allowed to reopen under the regulations set forth. But the state just needs to work with the malls on what to do about the malls’ common space.
• https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/safework/ for more information on businesses that can reopen on May 18.
• State officials received a question about retail businesses operating at 50% capacity and what that means, the DEED commissioner said it’s “a mental model.” He said it’s just about reducing the number of people in a store to limit the number of incidental contacts and allow people to be 6 feet apart. 
• Fitness centers will now be allowed to open just yet. That guidance will come in the next week with a target of getting those open on June 1. 

Read the COVID-19 Update for 5-13-2020 from the Minnesota Department of Health Here

Current status of MN Governor’s safety dials to reopen the state:

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