Gov. Walz orders Minnesota restaurants, bars & other gathering places closed
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has ordered the temporary closure of restaurants, bars and other public gathering places, effective Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The move is aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. There are now 54 confirmed cases of the virus in Minnesota.
In a news conference Monday, Walz said the executive order applies to all restaurants, food courts, breweries and bars. However, it does not stop take-out or delivery service. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm added that restaurants that remain open for takeout and delivery should use sealed containers, have contact-less delivery, and use electronic payments.
As we reported earlier today, a number of Rochester businesses had already begun closing down public areas and switching to take-out only amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Under the order, theaters, museums, fitness centers and bowling alleys — essentially any place where people congregate — will also be required to close. Pharmacies and grocery stories, however, can remain open.
“We are not going to stop this from spreading but we can stop how fast it spreads,” Walz said.
The order will remain in effect until at least March 27.
The head of the state’s economic development agency said hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will likely be impacted by the closures.
In separate order, Walz announced an expansive unemployment insurance program for affected workers. The insurance will also cover parents who need to stay home and take care of their children.
The governor said he expects the crisis to result in the single largest unemployment request in Minnesota history.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
