February 12: Governor Renews Emergency Powers And Eases Some Restrictions Beginning Tomorrow

Today Minnesota Governor Tim Walz renewed his emergency powers for another 30 days and announced some easing of restrictions, citing declining COVID case counts.

Measures being changed beginning this Saturday at noon include:

• Restaurant and bars remains at a 50% indoor capacity limit, however the maximum capacity for indoor and outdoor is raised to 250 people. In addition, on-site dining is extended until 11:00 p.m.

• Food and beverage at outdoor events and entertainment is extended until 11:00 p.m. and outdoor space has a new maximum of 250 people.

• Indoor events and entertainment remain at 25% with a new maximum occupancy of 250 people. Food and beverage services is extended until 11:00 p.m.

• Gyms, fitness and pools remain capped at 25% capacity but the maximum number of people is raised to 250.

• Celebrations and receptions in venues have limit of up to 50 people. These events may not occur between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

General retail remains open at 100% with COVID precautions including social distancing.

Click here to read Executive Order 21-07. Click here to see updated capacity limits.

January 6: Restaurants & Bars Indoor Service Opens At 50% Capacity This Coming Monday; Indoor Entertainment Reopens + Other Dial Turns

At a press conference going on now, Governor Walz is announcing the loosening of restrictions including restaurants and bars opening for in-person indoor service at 50% capacity (150 people maximum both indoor and outdoor, 6 people per table maximum) starting on January 11. Bar seating will be open for parties of 2 people with 6 feet of spacing. Reservations are still required and the 10:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m. closure for restaurants and bars will remain in place. Mall food courts following restaurant and bar guidance may open.

Other measures being announced this afternoon beginning January 11 include:

• Gyms will remain at 25% capacity, but the maximum is increased to 150 people. Masking is still required as well as 9 feet of social distancing. Fitness classes must not have more than 25 people.

• Indoor entertainment and events open to 25% capacity with a maximum of 150 people. This includes movie theaters, bowling alleys, and amusement. Face coverings are required and food service may not be offered after 10:00 p.m.

• Outdoor events and entertainment will remain at 25% capacity, but the maximum is increased to 250 people. Social distancing is required.

• Churches remain open at 50% capacity but with no maximum.

• Pools may open at 25% capacity with a maximum of 150 people

• Youth sports games may resume on January 14. Spectators are allowed at youth/high school sports with a 25% capacity and a maximum of 250 people outdoor or 150 people indoor. Masks are still required. Inter-region tournaments and out of state play is discouraged.

General retail remains open at 100% with COVID precautions including social distancing.

Click to see the updated capacity limits.

December 16: Restaurants & Bars Remain Closed For Indoor Dining Until January 11; Outdoor Dining Permitted; Gyms Open at 25%; Youth And Adult Sports Practices Resume January 4; Updates On Other Restrictions

In a press conference a few moments, Governor Walz extended his order for restaurants and bars closures for indoor, in-person dining until January 11. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to open outdoor seating starting the Saturday at 50% capacity (100 maximum, 4 people per table all seated). Other limits on outdoor dining include that outdoor shelters cannot be fully enclosed and restaurants and bars must close for outdoor dining between 10:00 pm and 4:00 a.m.

Other measures announced this afternoon:

• Social gatherings indoors will be limited to 2 households with a maximum of 10 people. Social gatherings outdoor will be limited to 3 households with a maximum of 15 people.

• Gyms, fitness centers and similar establishments can open at 25% capacity with masking with a maximum of 100 people starting Saturday. There must be 12 feet of social distancing and no group fitness classes until January 4. Pools remain closed.

• Organized youth and high school sports are able to resume practices on January 4. Games are not able to resume.

• Outdoor entertainment such as public skating rinks can open to 25% capacity up to 100 people with 6 feet social distancing.

• Indoor entertainment will remain closed until January 11

• Entertainment venues such as movie theaters, bowling alleys, etc. will remain closed.

• In-person learning at elementary schools can reopen January 18 (hybrid or in-person) with mandated masking and COVID testing. The testing will be supported by the State with funding request that is heading to the Legislature.

General retail remains open at 100% with COVID precautions including social distancing.

Click to see the updated capacity limits.

December 14: Important Relief For Businesses Impacted By Restrictions Under Executive Order 20-99 & Other COVID-19 Executive Orders + Unemployment Extension Passed By The Legislature

This evening during its seventh special session, Minnesota's Legislature passed relief for businesses impacted by Executive Order 20-99 and other COVID-19 executive orders as well as relief for Minnesotans with unemployment benefits set to expire soon.

Here is a summary of what passed in the $216.8 million business relief package:

• $88 million to businesses closed to the public under Executive Order 20-99 and experiencing at least a 30% sales decline (compared to 2019) that provide on-site food and beverages including bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries as well as bowling alleys and fitness or sports recreation centers. Relief amounts ($10,000 - $45,000) will be based on number of workers and be administered directly by the Minnesota Department of Revenue with distribution as soon as possible.

• $114.8 million directly to Minnesota counties for grants to eligible businesses and nonprofits impacted by any executive order related to COVID-19. Each county would receive a minimum of $256,250 or $19.25 per capita amount based on its 2019 population. Each Minnesota county will administer these relief funds including making eligibility decisions and can add their own eligibility requirements with disbursement of funds by March 13, 2021.

• $14 million for movie theaters and multipurpose convention centers with a capacity of at least 1,500 people. A per screen formula will be used to help movie theaters and several factors would be considered for convention center allocations. This relief will be administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Today's action also included important unemployment support for Minnesota's workers, including:

• An extension of unemployment benefits for individuals who exhaust their regular or pandemic unemployment benefits between December 19, 2020 and April 3, 2021 if an individual is eligible to receive additional unemployment benefits.

• Eligibility includes Minnesotans unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to lack of work and meet the requirements for regular unemployment benefits established in Minnesota Statutes.

Click here to see the text of the bill. It is expected that the Governor will sign the bill as soon as tomorrow.

There are many legislators who are due credit for championing this important relief package, and MnRA extends a special thank you to Sen. Eric Pratt and Rep. Tim Mahoney for their commitment to passing this package.

MnRA appreciates the leadership of the Legislature and Governor Walz, and his team, on this needed relief package which includes provisions advocated for by MnRA and many others.

November 18: Restaurants/Bars/Food Courts To Stop In-Person Service Beginning 11:59 P.M. Friday; Youth & Adult Sports Take a Pause; New Event, Entertainment & Social Gathering Restrictions

• Social gatherings will be limited to your own household (both indoor and outdoor) beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.

• Gyms, fitness centers and similar establishments will be closed for four weeks beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.

• Entertainment venues and indoor/outdoor seated venues will be closed for four weeks, including bowling alleys, movie theaters, indoor ice rinks, live performance venues, public pools, and swim parks beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.

• Organized youth and adult sports will be pausing for four weeks. College and professional sports may continue without spectators beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.

• Indoor recreation facilities will be closed for four weeks beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.

• Events such as celebrations, receptions and private parties will be paused for four weeks beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m. Religious ceremonies and services may continue.

• General retail open at 100% with COVID precautions including social distancing.
• Churches and worship centers remain open at 50% capacity.
• Salons and other personal care services remain open at 50% capacity.
• Outdoor recreation such as skating and skiing remain open.
• Schools continue to operate under the Safe Learning Plan at the discretion of local school districts.
• Child care providers can remain open.
• Colleges and universities continue to operate under guidance from the State.