Minnesota: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.

April 15, 2021:

On April 14, 2021, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 21-19 to extend the peacetime emergency in Minnesota. The peacetime emergency is critical to the state’s ability to respond to the pandemic, including efficiently distributing the vaccine. Minnesota’s peacetime emergency does the following:

• Supports the expansion of Minnesota’s COVID-19 testing capacity;
• Protects Minnesotans against evictions and wage garnishment;
• Provides expedited procurement power for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment;
• Allows Minnesota to follow the advice of public health experts in combatting the spread of COVID-19;
• Protects workers from unsafe working conditions;
• Requires Minnesotans to wear face coverings in certain settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
• Provides economic relief and stability to Minnesotans and small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

March 29, 2021:

Governor Walz announced that all Minnesotans age 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning March 30, 2021. All Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get updates on vaccine opportunities and be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites.

March 22, 2021:

On March 18, 2021, Governor Walz released his revised budget for the next biennium. The Governor’s proposal includes tax relief for Minnesotans who received unemployment benefits during the pandemic, expands the renter’s property tax refund, increases eligibility for the Working Family Credit, and includes an Earned Sick and Safe Time proposal to ensure that workers can accrue up to 48 hours per year of paid leave. Governor Walz’s budget includes modified conformity for the Shuttered Venues grant and the Paycheck Protection Program. Additionally, the Governor’s proposal would exclude the first $350,000 from income for forgiven loan amounts.

March 18, 2021:

On March 15, 2021, Governor Walz extended the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency Declared in Executive Order 20-01. The peacetime emergency is critical to the state’s ability to respond to the pandemic, including efficiently distributing the vaccine, as it gives the state the necessary tools to quickly establish additional state vaccination sites.

March 11, 2021:

On March 9, 2021, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is expanding vaccine eligibility as the state reaches its goal of vaccinating 70% of Minnesotans several weeks ahead of schedule. The state expanded eligibility to the next two phases of Minnesotans on March 10. Providers have been directed to prioritize people in the first of these phases, which includes Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions, food processing plant workers, and Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk of severe illness. Providers will then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans.

Groups becoming eligible to receive a vaccine beginning this week are

• Phase 1b Tier 2 populations, including:
  • Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions:
    • Sickle cell disease;
    • Down syndrome;
    • Those in cancer treatment or immunocompromised from organ transplant; and
    • Oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD & CHF).
  • Targeted essential workers (such as food processing plant workers).
  • Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk of severe illness.
• Phase 1b Tier 3 populations, including:
  • Minnesotans age 45 years and older with one or more underlying medical conditions identified by the CDC.
  • Minnesotans age 16 years and older with two or more underlying medical conditions.
  • Minnesotans age 50 years and older in multi-generational housing.
  • Essential frontline workers:
    • Agricultural workers;
    • Airport and public transit staff;
    • Child care workers not previously eligible;
    • Those working in correctional settings;
    • First responders;
    • Food production, retail, and service workers;
    • Judicial system workers;
    • Those working in manufacturing;
    • Public health workers; and
    • U.S. Postal Service workers.

March 8, 2021:

On March 8, 2021, Governor Walz announced that more than 90% of school districts and charter schools are offering their students some form of in-person learning. In December, the Governor implemented Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan to allow every elementary school across the state to operate in person. This plan was updated in February to allow all middle and high school students to return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. The Safe Learning Plan changes include additional mitigation strategies, such as a strong recommendation for staff to wear face shields and masks and provision of no-cost regular COVID-19 testing for school staff. Middle and high schools will be required to comply with similar health and safety strategies, including updated physical distancing requirements.

March 4, 2021:

On March 3, 2021, Governor Walz announced the first Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in Minnesota. With this shipment, Minnesota will receive a total of 45,200 doses of the vaccine this week. At this time, Minnesota providers have administered more than 1.4 million doses to roughly 930,000 Minnesotans. More than 54% of Minnesotans 65 and older and 56% of K-12 educators and child care workers have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

February 25, 2021:

On February 25, 2021, Governor Walz announced Minnesota will remain focused on vaccinating the majority of the state’s senior population before expanding eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor issued guidance to vaccinate 70% of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility, aiming to achieve this goal by the end of March. As of February 25, Minnesota has vaccinated more than 43% of Minnesotans age 65 and over. Once 70% of seniors have received the vaccine, Minnesota will expand eligibility based on underlying health conditions and workplace exposure risk. Details on the vaccination phases are available on the COVID-19 Response website.

February 22, 2021:

On February 22, 2021, Governor Walz announced that Hy-Vee will be added to the network of pharmacies vaccinating Minnesotans across the state. Hy-Vee joins two other retail pharmacies in Minnesota: Thrifty White and Walmart. These pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program that was launched in February 2021. Appointments at Hy-Vee will become available in the coming days. Locations and contact information for scheduling appointments will be accessible on the Vaccine Locator map here. The state will also notify seniors who are signed up for the Vaccine Connector (linked here) about this new opportunity for vaccination.

February 17, 2021:

On February 18, 2021, Governor Tim 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. The state has mobilized health care systems, local pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, local hospitals, local public health facilities, and state-run community vaccination sites to make sure everyone will be able to get a vaccine when the federal government ships more doses. The Vaccine Connector will help connect Minnesotans to that network once it’s their turn to get a shot and will also improve the ability of communities of color to access the vaccine. Demand for vaccine still far exceeds supply, and Minnesotans should remain patient as more vaccine doses arrive in the weeks and months ahead.

Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, regardless of their current vaccine eligibility status. There will be no cost and no restricted time period for signing up. Minnesotans can sign up at mn.gov/vaccineconnector or call 833-431-2053 for assistance (including translation services) with signing up over the phone.

February 16, 2021:

On February 12, 2021, Governor Walz announced adjustments to COVID-19 mitigation measures as Minnesota makes progress on vaccinations. These measures are enacted in Executive Order 21-07, which takes effect on Saturday, February 13 at noon, and is intended to further “reopen” Minnesota’s economy and include:

• Increasing the “not to exceed” capacity in restaurants to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent;
• Increasing indoor entertainment “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent;
• Increasing private event and celebration “not to exceed” capacity to 50, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent;
• Increasing gym and pool “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving maximum capacity at 25 percent and reducing distancing requirement to 6 feet; and
• Allowing restaurants to stay open until 11:00 p.m.

February 15, 2021:

On February 12, 2021, Governor Walz announced the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency is extended through March 15, 2021 until rescinded by the proper authority or terminated by a majority vote of each house of the legislature.

February 9, 2021:

On February 8, 2021, Governor Walz announced Minnesota will expand its vaccine network by using major pharmacies as the state participates in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Walmart, Thrifty White, and Walgreens are participating in the first phase of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program that will launch this week. The pharmacies will be administering more than 16,000 doses at locations across the state to vaccinate eligible populations.

February 1, 2021:

On February 1, 2021, Governor Walz announced more than 35,000 Minnesotans aged 65+ will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor is utilizing a network of local healthcare providers to administer the vaccine. The administration also released a new vaccine locator map today to connect Minnesotans to vaccination opportunities in their area. Minnesotans can use the map to find vaccine providers near them and contact those healthcare providers with questions. While the locator currently provides information for seniors, it will expand over time as more Minnesotans become eligible for the vaccine.

January 27, 2021:

On January 26, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 recovery budget proposal for the next biennium. The focus of the budget proposal is to support small businesses, working families, and students through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Walz proposed investing $50 million in a new Small Business COVID Support forgivable loan program to help the hardest businesses sustain operations. These forgivable loans will support cultural, entertainment, and hospitality industries. The forgivable loan program will include set-asides for Greater Minnesota businesses and minority owner businesses.

Governor Walz proposed an additional $3 million per year for small business incubators serving minority, veteran, and women business owners. The proposal further included a new state total investment of $745 million in e-12 education to help students recover and catch up on learning and recommended expanding the Working Family Tax Credit for over 300,000 eligible Minnesota households.

January 19, 2021:

On January 13, 2021, Governor Walz extended the Peacetime Emergency in Emergency Executive Order 21-04. The COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency is extended through February 12, 2021.

December 16, 2020:

On December 16, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-103, effective as of 11:59 p.m. on December 18, 2020. Order 20-103 modifies and extends Emergency Order 20-99 an notes individuals and businesses must continue to comply with Order 20-99 except as modified in Order 20-103. These modifications include the following:

• Paragraph 6.a is modified to state that indoor social gathering are strongly discouraged, however permitted if they involve not more than two households and a maximum of 10 people that maintain 6 feet of separation and adhere to additional precautions for social gatherings. Outdoor gatherings are permitted if they involve not more than three households and a maximum of 15 people and adhere to the additional precautions for social gatherings.

• Paragraph 6.b is modified to state that outdoor recreational activities do not include rallies spectator entertainment events, fairs, festivals, concerts, or other similar outdoor organized events, which are governed by Paragraph 7.c.viii (if held in a venue) or Paragraph 6.a (if not held in a venue). Organized Youth and Adult Sports activities continue to be limited and are governed by the requirements in paragraphs 7.g. and 7.h.

• Paragraph 6.3 is modified to remove the self-quarantine recommendation when returning from other states or countries.

• Paragraph 7.c.iii is modified to state that Places of Public Accommodation, which would otherwise be ordered closed, may stay open if they have been repurposed to exclusively provide services permitted under paragraph 7.c.ii.

• Paragraph 7.c is modified to state that Restaurants, cafes, bars, and other establishments that offer food and beverage for on-premises consumption may provide outdoor service if they adhere to the applicable Industry Specific guidance. However, all establishments must adhere to the following requirements:

• Physical distancing of at least six feet is maintained between parties at different tables and may not exceed 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 100 people. Establishments must ensure that no more than four customers are seated at one table.
• All establishments must close and remain closed each day for outdoor on-premises consumption between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. but the Order does not limit or discourage delivery, service, window service, walk-up service, or drive-up service. In the event of inclement weather, customers may move indoors to package food and pay bills but must exit quickly.

• Additionally, Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor climbing facilities, indoor and outdoor exercise facilities, martial arts facilities, and dance and exercise studios may be open for individual exercise, however, must follow the following requirements:

• Occupancy of any indoor space and the entire facility must not exceed 25 percent of the normal occupant capacity and not to exceed 100 people in the entire facility.
• Physical distancing of at least 12 feet is maintained in any area that one or more persons are exercising. Physical distancing of at least six feet must be maintained in all other situations.
• Face coverings must be worn by all persons at all times.

• Venues providing outdoor events and entertainment such as racetracks, paintball, go-karts, mini-golf, performance venues, festivals, fairs, vendor fairs, and amusement parks may be open in accordance with the applicable guidance available and the following requirements:

• All venues must ensure that physical distancing of at least six feet is maintained between participants from different households. Venues may not exceed 25 percent capacity, with a maximum of 100 people.
• Any venue that offers food or beverages for on-premises consumption or that permits food or beverages to be consumed on premises must not offer food and beverage service each day between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. and must prohibit on-premises food and beverage consumption each day between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
• Venues are encouraged to offer “drive-in” or “drive-through” experiences, provided that all participants remain within their own vehicles and follow the applicable guidance available and are not subject to the capacity limits set forth above.

• Paragraph 7.g/h is modified to state from December 18, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. through January 3, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., youth programs bay continue to provide care or supervision in accordance with COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Youth and Student Programs and development and implementation of a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in accordance with applicable guidance for adult sports.

November 19, 2020:

On November 18, 2020, Governor Walz issued Emergency Order 20-99 outlining new COVID-19 restrictions. Effective November 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., Executive Orders 20-74 , 20-85 , and 20-96 are rescinded. Effective November 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. through December 18, 2020 at 11:59, the Order outlines restrictions on the following activities for individuals and businesses:

• Individuals
  • Social gatherings, or gatherings of individuals who are not members of the same household, are prohibited. Exceptions to this order include:
    • Activity by workers or customers permitted to remain open under the Executive Order.
    • Certain Places of Public accommodation such as stores that offer food and beverage not for on-premises consumption; health care, child care, residential care, correctional facilities; crisis shelters, soup kitchens; and restaurants inside airports.
    • Educational and Child Care Services.
    • Care of others such as a family member, friend, or pet in another household.
    • Relocation to ensure safety, health and safety activities, mental health support groups, health care and residential facilities.
    • Governmental activities such as legislative, judicial, or federal activities.
    • Drive-in gatherings.
    • Weddings, funerals and services provided they provide 6 ft. of distancing, 50% of occupancy with a maximum of 250 people in indoor space, develop a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. However, individuals may not host celebration receptions including those connected to weddings, funerals, life milestones.
  • Outdoor recreational activities with close proximity to others from different households are prohibited, this includes performances, competitions, team events, fairs or other events that involve individuals from more than one household. Exceptions to this order include outdoor activities in natural surroundings and outdoor sports for groups within a single household. All individuals must abide by the Outdoor Recreation Guidelines.
  • Unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged, and outside travelers are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.
• Workers and Businesses
  • Any worker who can work from home must do so. The protections in Executive Order 20-54 remain in effect.
  • Certain Places of Public accommodation are closed to the public. Exceptions to this order include:
    • Restaurants, cafes, bars, and other establishments that offer food and beverage for on-premises consumption may offer delivery, window service, or drive through service and may allow 5 individuals inside to pick up orders. Industry specific guidance is provided.
    • Limited off-sale of alcoholic beverages is authorized with a prepared take-out food order, and delivery is not authorized.
  • Public pools, gyms, rec centers and indoor exercise studios are closed to the public.
  • Indoor event spaces such as entertainment spaces, performance venues, stadiums and arcades and outdoor spaces such as racetracks, performance venues, amusement parks are closed to the public.
  • Professional or intercollegiate athletes and teams authorized to practice and compete however, spectators, including family and friends of participants and staff, are not permitted to attend permitted sporting events or practices.
  • Outdoor recreational facilities are permitted to be open, provided they adhere to the Outdoor Recreation Guidelines.
  • Barbershops and Salons may remain open, provided occupancy does not exceed 50% normal capacity.
  • Youth programs bay continue to provide care or supervision in accordance with COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Youth and Student Programs.
  • Organized youth sports and organized adult sports must stop all in-person activities.
  • Higher education institutions must continue to establish and implement a higher education institution COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

The Order provides for the same enforcement provisions as outlined in 20-96, below.

November 10, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-96, amending Emergency Executive Order 20-74, which limits certain activities of individuals and businesses throughout Minnesota. Effective Friday November 13, 2020 at 10:00 p.m.:

• All businesses, places of public accommodation, and establishments providing personal care services must continue to comply with applicable guidance available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website.

• All social gatherings of more than 10 people and all social gatherings involving members of more than 3 households (regardless of the size of the gathering) are prohibited, except for:

• Commercial activity by workers and customers of Critical and Non-Critical Businesses.

• Persons in Places of Public Accommodation that are following the requirements and limitations:
  • All establishments, including restaurants, venues providing indoor or outdoor events or activities must close or prohibit on-premises consumption of food or beverages between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
  • Restaurants, bars, etc. are limited to 50% indoor occupancy of the normal occupant capacity with a maximum of 150 people, provided that physical distancing of 6 feet is maintained between parties seated at different tables. Outdoor occupancy of any outdoor space must ensure that the number of customers at any one time is limited to the number for whom physical distancing of 6 feet can be maintained between parties seated at different tables. The combined total occupancy of all indoor and outdoor spaces is 150 people.
  • Planned social gatherings should develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in accordance with applicable venue guidance available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website. Additionally, gatherings that offer food or beverage may not take place between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Effective November 27, 2020 at 10:00 p.m., such gatherings are limited to 50 people, and effective December 11, 2020 at 10:00 p.m., limited to 25 people.

• An individual who willfully violates the Executive Order is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days. Any business owner, manager, or supervisor who requires or encourages any of their employees to violate this Executive Order is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $3,000 or by imprisonment for not more than a year. Additional civil relief, up to $25,000 per occurrence, is available to the Attorney General for violations or threatened violations of the Executive Order.

November 9, 2020:

On November 5, Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-94, and on November 6, 2020, Emergency Executive Order 20-95 amending Executive Order 20-94, both of which provides additional guidance to districts, charter schools and public schools previously outlined in Executive Order 20-82. Order 20-94 clarifies that the free care to Eligible Children as outlined in paragraphs 24 and 25 of Order 20-82 is limited to households in which all of the parents or legal guardians are workers in Tier 1 industries, as set for in the MDE 2020-21 Planning Guidance. Schools may charge a fee on its normal sliding fee scale (but prioritize those who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, to the extent possible) for childcare for all other children.

Order 20-94 also strongly encourages schools to ensure students have access to mental health and telehealth services and must implement the MDE 2020-21 Planning Guidance on mental health and well-being, school climate, trauma-informed practices and social emotional learning. Schools are strongly discouraged from referring students for truancy programs and services or reporting students for educational neglect until school districts and charter schools have exhausted all efforts to engage truant students and their families.

Finally, Order 20-95 clarifies that as soon as is practicable, but no later than November 30, 2020, a school must count 30 minutes per day for teacher preparation to provide instruction to students in distance learning or hybrid learning model as instructional time toward meeting the minimum hours required by Minnesota law.

October 12, 2020:

On October 12, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-92 extending the “COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency” through November 12, 2020. The previous restrictions outlined in Emergency Executive Order 20-89 remain in effect and may be further extended by an executive order on or before November 12, 2020.

September 14, 2020:

On September 11, 2020, Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-89 extending the “COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency” through October 12, 2020. Order 20-89 defines the “COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency” as Executive Order 20-01, which was extended through 20-35, 20-53, 20-75, 20-78, and 20-83. Most notably, Order 20-89 extends the face covering requirements as described in Order 20-81. Order 20-89 continues with the current course limiting extensions of the Peacetime Emergency to 30-day increments, seeking the Executive Council’s approval each time. Therefore, the Peacetime Emergency may be extended by an executive order on or before October 12, 2020.

August 27, 2020:

On August 26, 2020, Governor Walz signed several executive orders that order the following:

• Executive Order 20-84: Executive Orders 20-15, 20-16, and 20-32 are rescinded. Paragraph 5 of Executive Order 20-23, which pertains to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, is rescinded.
• Executive Order 20-85: Higher education institutions may offer in-person classes or activities consistent with the Minnesota Health Department Guidelines. Each institution must continue to establish and implement a Higher Ed Plan which must address the following topics:
  • Follow OHE and MDH guidance;
  • Ensure that sick students and institutions staff and instructors stay home;
  • Require social distancing and face-coverings; and
  • Implement cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Executive Order 20-86: In light of the COVID-19 health threats, and if virtual meetings are not feasible, cooperative or cooperative associates may forego their annual regular members’ meeting.

August 13, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-83, which extends the COVID-19 peacetime emergency declared in Executive Order 20-01. The peacetime emergency was set to expire on August 12, 2020 but will now continue through at least September 11, 2020. Under the peacetime emergency,

• All individuals five years or older are required to wear face coverings while in any indoor space open to the public, unless they have a medical exemption;
• A landlord’s right to evict a residential tenant because of a material violation of a lease or nonpayment of rent is suspended;
• All indoor gatherings of more than 10 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited, except for weddings, funerals, and worship services; and
• Employers cannot discriminate or retaliate against employees who refuse to perform assigned tasks that they reasonably believe are dangerous to their health.

The peacetime emergency may be further extended by an executive order signed on or before September 11, 2020.

August 3, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-82, which outlines the Minnesota Department of Education’s plan for K-12 education during the 2020-21 school year. The order does not require that all public schools follow one method of instruction. Instead, it authorizes each school district to follow one of three models:

• Distance learning, where all students will remain at home;
• In-person learning, where all students will attend classes at school; and
• Hybrid learning, where there will be a mix of virtual and in-person attendance.

The order requires districts to provide a distance learning option for all students, regardless of which of the three models the district chooses to follow. Further, the following procedures are required for the in-person and hybrid learning models:

• Complying with the state-wide face covering requirement announced in Executive Order 20-81,
• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for faculty and staff who work directly with students,
• Implementing daily cleaning protocols,
• Limiting access to schools to only essential visitors and volunteers, and
• Discontinuing large gatherings and activities during which students and staff cannot maintain a safe social distance.

School districts must announce which model they intend to use at least two weeks prior to the start of the school year.

July 27, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-79, which rescinds and replaces both Executive Order 20-14 and Executive Order 20-73. The new order, which went into effect on July 14, 2020, modifies the suspension of evictions laid out in the previous orders. It specifies that property owners are not entitled to file an eviction action if a tenant remains on the property after their lease has terminated, after a material violation of the lease, or after the tenant fails to pay rent. The order does not apply if the tenant’s actions seriously endangered the safety of others or significantly damaged the property. The order remains in effect until the state of emergency declared in Executive Order 20-01 is terminated.

July 23, 2020:

Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-80, which requires the use of face coverings in Minnesota. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2020 and will remain in effect until it is rescinded or terminated. The order applies to any person 5 years or older, except any individual who has a medical condition that prevents him or her from wearing a face mask. The order requires individuals to wear a face covering:

• In any business or indoor space open to the public,
• While riding public transportation, while in a taxi, or while in a ride-sharing vehicle, and
• For workers only, while working outside when social distancing is not possible.

The order allows individuals to temporarily remove their face covering in situations such as exercising at a gym or fitness center, eating or drinking, and communicating with an individual who has a hearing impairment.

June 8, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-74, which continues the plan of safely reopening Minnesota’s economy and ensuring safe non-work activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. Under this order, which goes into effect on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.:

• Executive Order 20-63 is rescinded.
• Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited; outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited; with the exception of certain governmental meetings, federal activities, drive-in gatherings, and weddings, funerals, and services, all of which are subject to requirements under the order.
• Places of public occupancy, including restaurants, bars, barbershop and salons, public pools, gyms, and entertainment venues may open at reduced capacity, as specified in the order.
• Critical and non-critical businesses that are choosing to remain open must establish and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, using the guidance specific for their industry.
• Higher education institutions may resume in-person classes subject to capacity and social distancing requirements.

May 28, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-63, which rescinds Executive Orders 20-04, 20-08, 20-18, 20-52, 20-56, and 20-62 as of May 31, 2020 at 11:59pm. The new order’s provisions go into effect on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 11:59pm, as well, and include the following:

• Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, unless they are for government activities, drive-in gatherings, weddings, funerals, worship services, and tribal activities. All activities must follow the CDC guidelines and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing between persons, among other requirements.
• The temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodations is extended.
• Critical businesses may continue to operate in the same manner.
• Non-critical businesses choosing to remain open must establish and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
• Work from home, where possible, is strongly encouraged.

May 14, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-56 – Safely Reopening Minnesota’s Economy and Ensuring Safe Non-work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency, effective Sunday May 17, 2020, at 11:59pm. The new order rescinds and replaces Executive Order 20-48. The new order sets out a plan for reopening Minnesota businesses, including the following:

• Bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation remain temporarily closed until May 31, 2020, at 11:59pm;
• The Commissioners of Health, Employment and Economic Development, and Labor and Industry are directed to develop a phased plan to achieve the limited and safe reopening of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation, beginning on June 1, 2020;
• Workers should continue to work from home wherever possible;
• Critical businesses may continue to operate as they have been;
• Non-critical businesses choosing to open must establish and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan;
• Certain outdoor recreational activities and associated facilities are permitted to be open and do business.

Governor Walz also issued Emergency Executive Order 20-53, which extends the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency Declared in Executive Order 20-01. The COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency is in effect through June 12, 2020 and may be further extended by an executive order on or before that date.

Governor Walz signed two executive orders related to the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency:

• Emergency Executive Order 20-54 prevents employers from discriminating or retaliating against works who wear protective gear, including gloves, cloth face coverings, and eye protection; the order also grants employees the right to refuse to work under condition that they reasonable believe present an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm, which includes working in an unsafe or unhealthy manner with an infectious agent such as COVID-19.
• Emergency Executive Order 20-55 strongly encourages all at-risk persons to stay at home beginning Sunday May 17, 2020, at 11:59pm. At-risk persons are defined to include, but not limited to, people over the age of 65, people with underlying medical conditions, and people living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

May 1, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-48, which extends and modifies the previous Stay at Home Order. The new order goes into effect on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 11:59 pm and will be in effect through Sunday May 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The new order identifies additional categories of Critical Sector workers, including laundry and hygiene and faith leaders and workers. While the order does not force residents to wear masks and face coverings, it strongly encourages them to do so when they leave their homes and travel to public settings.

April 24, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-41 which authorizes and directs the Commissioner of Education to Extend the Distance Learning Period for Minnesota’s students. Schools districts and charter schools have until May 5 to communicate their plans for extended distance learning to students and their families. There are certain criteria that the plans must address as further provided in the Order.

April 17, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-38, which goes into effect on April 18, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The Order provides further guidance on what constitutes allowed Outdoor Recreational Activity under Emergency Executive Order 20-33. The Order clarifies that Essential Workers includes “workers supporting publicly and privately maintained or operated outdoor recreational facilities, provided that such facilities adhere to the Outdoor Recreation Guidelines.” This does not include workers supporting outdoor recreational equipment retail stores or workers engaged in services for hire such as charter boats, launches, or fishing guides. The Order also reopens a variety of outdoor facilities so long as they adhere to the Outdoor Recreation Guidelines, including parks, trails, water accesses, gold courses, and shooting ranges.

April 13, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-35, which extends the emergency declared in Executive Order 20-01 through May 13, 2020. The Order also limits all subsequent extensions of the peacetime emergency to 30-day increments and requires the Executive council’s review and approval of each such extension.

April 9, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-22, which extends the previous stay at home Order and reaffirms the temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation. Minnesota residents are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence except to engage in Critical Activities and Critical Work Sectors. Critical sectors include healthcare, food and agriculture, energy, transportation, public works, and communications, among others. The Order is now in effect until May 3, 2020.

March 30, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-23, which authorized the Minnesota Health-Related Licensing Boards to Modify Requirements during the COVID-19 Emergency. The modifications include deferring continuing education requirements, extending the expiration date on certain licenses and registrations, and waiving fingerprint requirements for licensing applications, among others. This Order will remain in effect under the COVID-19 emergency is over.

March 26, 2020:

Yesterday, March 25, Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-20. The order, which goes into effect on Friday, March 27, 2020 and lasts through Friday, April 10, 2020, requires all persons currently living within the State of Minnesota to stay at home or their place of residence. Businesses and workers in Critical Sectors are allowed to continue operations to the extent that work cannot be performed through telework or virtual work. Critical Sectors, as defined in the order, include Healthcare and public health, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, among others. The restrictions on restaurants, bars, and other places of public accommodation adopted in Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-18 remain in effect.

March 23, 2020:

Governor Walz signed two executive orders on March 23. Executive Order 20-14, the Housing Stability for Minnesota Families Order, suspends eviction proceedings during the COVID-19 emergency. The order clarifies that tenants should continue to pay rent if they are able, but landlords and financial institutions cannot begin eviction proceedings that would remove tenants from stable housing for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency.

Executive Order 20-15, the Small Business Emergency Loan Program Order, authorizes the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to establish an emergency loan program for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will help Minnesota small business owners who need immediate assistance.

March 18, 2020:

Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-08, which amended a previous order closing bars and restaurants to include tanning establishments, tattoo parlors, and salons and shops licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners and the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners. The temporary closure currently lasts until March 27, 2020 and 5:00pm.

March 16, 2020:

Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-04, temporarily closing bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation. These places are allowed to utilize delivery, window, and walk-up services, so long as they use precautions to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing. The order does not prohibit other employees from entering places of public accommodation in their professional capacity.