MN Schools to Remain Closed ’til May 4, Exemptions Made for Landscapers, Lawn-care workers

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz extended the state’s stay-at-home order to May 4. It means dine-in restaurants, bars and amusement parks will remain off-limits to the public until then. The governor also addressed the possibility of students returning to school before the end of the current school year.

“I think it’s unlikely,” says Walz. “But I wouldn’t close the door 100 percent.”

Photo inside school before distance learning started.

That means distance leaning will continue for all Minnesota students. Other states have already announced that schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year.

Exemptions for Landscapers, Lawn-care Workers

The governor’s extended stay-at-home order also means some businesses that do not have significant group settings can return to work. Those businesses include landscaping and lawn-care companies. Golf courses can also start doing maintenance on their properties.

The order comes as cases of COVID-19 have spread in the northwest suburbs. The city of Maple Grove confirmed its first case this week. St. Therese of New Hope senior living campus also confirmed its first case of COVID-19.

“Do not be complacent. Do not give up all our hard-earned gains,” said Walz upon extending the order.

Here’s the full list of newly exempted businesses:

Armstrong High School

Benilde St. Margaret's

Breck School

Brooklyn Center High School

Champlin Park High School

Cooper High School

Heritage Christian Academy

Hopkins High School

Maple Grove Senior High School

Maranatha Christian Academy

Osseo Senior High School

Park Center Senior High School

Providence Academy

Totino-Grace High School

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale