COVID-19 testing locations in Minnesota can be found here.
Governor Walz announced the availability of a new COVID-19 exposure notification mobile application, COVIDaware MN. (November 23)
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced a significant expansion in COVID-19 testing access, with the addition of more than a dozen new testing locations opening across the state over the next two weeks. (November 9)
ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Essential Service Designations:
Governor Walz issued an executive order that authorized out-of-state pharmacists to administer vaccines in Minnesota during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. (December 23)
The Minnesota Department of Health announced new guidelines for designating essential caregivers in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (July 10)
Per Governor Walz’s Stay at Home Order, essential sectors included, but were not limited to, the following: health care and public health, law enforcement, public safety, first responders, emergency shelters, congregate living facilities, drop-in centers, childcare, food and agriculture, news media, energy, water and wastewater, and critical manufacturing. (March 25)
Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:
Minnesota released reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
Minnesota released guidance for employers in the meatpacking industry to reduce worker exposure to COVID-19. (May 26)
Economic Stimulus & Relief:
Governor Tim Walz today announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget that supports working families, ensures students catch up on learning, and helps small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery. (January 26)
Governor Walz signed an executive ordermodifying Executive Order 20-42 to ensure that COVID-19 relief payments would not count as income for federally funded assistance programs, and that pandemic unemployment benefits paid to high school students did not make families ineligible for certain assistance. (January 7)
Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 21-02, which modifies Executive Order 20-50to ensure that recent federal COVID-19 relief payments meant to help individuals afford necessities are not intercepted by third parties or immediately garnished for consumer debt. (January 7)
Governor Walz announced a COVID-19 economic relief package to keep businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help Minnesota families. (November 24)
Governor Walz announced a $53.3 million investment to support child care providers and protect Minnesota families’ access to child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. (October 13)
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a $3 million investment in mental health services for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. (October 8)
Governor Walz announced that $100 million in CARES Act funding would be allocated for housing assistance and homelessness prevention. (July 14)
Governor Walz announced $100 million from the CARES Act would be allocated for Minnesota rental relief. (July 14)
Business Support & Resources:
Governor Walz signed a $216 million economic relief package into law that would support small businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic. (December 16)
Governor Walz announced he would convene a special session of the Minnesota Legislature on December 14 in order to provide relief to small businesses, workers, and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (December 9)
Governor Walz announced $10 million in funding to support small businesses affected by the pandemic. (November 10)
Governor Walz announced a $7.7 million plan to support agricultural producers, meat processors, and farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (October 19)
Governor Walz signed an executive order extending emergency relief provisions for livestock-related businesses. (July 17)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS
Reopening:
Governor Walz announced an additional COVID-19 community vaccination site at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. General public and travelers over the age of 18 can walk-in or make an appointment for the John & Johnson vaccine at Terminal 2. (June 9)
Governor Walz announced a vaccine incentive program called “Your Shot to Summer.” Prizes included amusement park tickets, fishing licenses, state park permits, and gift cards. (May 28)
Governor Walz announced the end of Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement, aligning with new CDC guidance on face coverings. (May 13)
Governor Walz announced that Minnesota would start vaccinating children 12 to 15 years of age. (May 10)
Governor Walz announced a three-step timeline to end nearly all Minnesota state COVID-19 restrictions by May 28. (May 7)
The Walz administration announced the launch of mobile units to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to communities throughout the state. (April 21)
Governor Walz signed an executive order to extend the peacetime emergency in Minnesota. (April 15)
Governor Walz announced a new permanent vaccination site in Lino Lakes. (April 9)
Governor Walz launched an outreach effort focused on connecting workers in critical industries to the resources they need to get vaccinated. (April 6)
Governor Walz and FEMAannounced that Minnesota would receive a federal Community Vaccination Clinic. (April 5)
The State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program is expanding further with a new permanent vaccination site at Inwood Oaks in Oakdale. (April 1)
Governor Tim Walz announced that the state has received a $2 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the US Department of Health & Human Services to support mental health care in Minnesota. The funding will be used for health care providers, first responders, and those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who have been impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay for behavioral health services. (April 1)
Governor Walz announced that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30. (March 26)
Minnesota announced that its COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program would expand with a new permanent site at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. (March 19)
Governor Walz announced a new community vaccination site would launch at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. (March 16)
Governor Walz signed an executive orderextending the peacetime emergency in Minnesota. (March 15)
Governor Walz announced that CVS Health and Goodrich Pharmacy would be added to the expanding network of pharmacies vaccinating people across the state. (March 13)
Governor Walz announced that Minnesotans could begin safely gathering with more friends and loved ones beginning March 15. (March 12)
Governor Walz announced the state would expand vaccine eligibility. (March 9)
Governor Walz announced a new community vaccination site to launch at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul. (March 5)
Governor Walz signed a law that would authorize qualified dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. (March 3)
Governor Walz issued guidance to vaccinate 70 percent of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility. (February 25)
As part of the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program, Governor Walz announced a new community vaccination site would open at the Mall of America in Bloomington. (February 24)
Governor Walz announced that Hy-Vee will be added to the expanding network of pharmacies vaccinating residents across the state. (February 22)
Governor Walz announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. (February 18)
Governor Walz issued an executive order that allowed restaurants, indoor entertainment, gyms, and pools to seat up to 250 people, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent. Private events and celebrations may not exceed 50 people, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25. Restaurants may stay open until 11:00PM. (February 12)
Governor Walz reallocated 8,000 doses for Walgreens to vaccinate Minnesotans 65 years of age and older at 40 in-store pharmacies across the state. (February 8)
Minnesota doubled the number of shots given per day on average compared to the week of January 25. (February 2)
More than 35,000 Minnesotans age 65 and older gained access to COVID-19 vaccines at over 100 clinics, hospitals, state community vaccination sites, and other locations across the state the week of February 1. (February 1)
Governor Walz announced a new 72-hour goal for vaccine providers to administer 90 percent of their vaccine doses within three days of receiving them, and all doses within one week. (January 25)
Minnesota launched a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program, partnering with local public health and school districts. (January 18)
Vaccines began to be administered to those not in the designated high-priority groups. (January 15)
Wedding receptions and other private parties were permitted to resume with limits. (January 6)
Indoor events and entertainment – like bowling alleys, movie theaters, and museums – may open at 25 percent, with no more than 150 people in each area of the venue. (January 6)
Indoor dining at bars and restaurants can open at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of two; reservations are required; and establishments must close dine-in service by 10 p.m. (January 6)
Beginning January 4, pools may reopen for lap swimming and organized sports activities as long as facilities follow social distancing requirements specific to pools. (December 23)
Governor Walz extended the state’s peacetime emergency. (December 14)
The first COVID-19 vaccine shipments arrived in Minnesota on December 14 at four sites across the state: Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Olmsted Medical Center, and Cass Lake Indian Health Services. (December 14)
Governor Walz announced a four-week pause on social activities, in-person dining, sports, and fitness establishments. (November 18)
Minnesota implemented a ten-person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings, and recommended all social gatherings be limited to members of three households or less. (November 10)
Minnesota announced that all bars and restaurants must end dine-in service between 10:00PM and 4:00AM. Indoor capacity would be capped at 150 people and may not exceed 50 percent of an establishment’s total capacity. (November 10)
Governor Walz announced a statewide indoor mask mandate. (July 22)
SCHOOL PLANNING
K-12:
Governor Walz announced Minnesota would allocate $75 million of the state’s flexible American Rescue Plan funds to enhance summer learning programs, helping students to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. (May 18)
Governor Walz announced that more than 90 percent of districts and charter schools in Minnesota weree offering their students some form of in-person learning. (March 8)
Beginning February 22, all middle and high school students can return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. (February 17)
Governor Walz signed an executive order clarifying the timeframe for school districts and charter schools to implement additional preparation time. (November 6)
Governor Walz signed an executive order that made technical adjustments to the Safe Learning Plan outlined in Executive Order 20-82. (November 5)
Governor Walz signed two executive orders that formalized Minnesota Department of Health guidance regarding the total classroom occupancy allowed in higher education settings and permitted cooperatives to waive in-person meeting requirements. (August 26)
Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for public school reopening, which gave parents the choice of in-person instruction, distance learning, or a hybrid model. (July 30)
State Higher Education:
A list of Minnesota universities and colleges planning to reopen in the fall can be found here.
Produced by Marathon Strategies, an independent PR firm that delivers intelligent communications and research solutions. For information, email Phil Singer at [email protected]
