[ad_1]
As hospitals express concern over the ability to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus in Minnesota. Beginning Friday, the restrictions will apply to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, bars and restaurants, which are three of the largest sources of COVID-19 outbreaks across the state.
Walz also announced $ 10 million in funding today to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.
“Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have asked Minnesotans to make unprecedented sacrifices for the common good. And they have. Because when times are tough, Minnesotans come together, ”Walz said. “Every step of the way, we have followed the best available data. These specific, science-based actions will help control the spread of the virus so that we can care for those who get sick, get our children into the classroom, keep our businesses open and get back to the activities we love. “
At the start of the pandemic, the governor asked Minnesotans to help slow the spread of the virus as hospitals increased their capacity to ensure they could care for everyone who fell ill. That additional capacity is now being put to the test as the virus rapidly spreads through the state, region and country. More people are getting sick, including our healthcare workers, which is affecting the ability of hospitals to provide care even when there are enough hospital beds.
These factors have caused hospital bed capacity to exceed 95 percent in many areas.
To make effective decisions to control the spread of COVID-19, health officials must understand who, when and where this virus is spreading. Health officials, with guidance from the White House, have analyzed test results and contact tracing data to understand how the virus is spreading across the state.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the results show that the virus is disproportionately spread among young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Because of this, social settings that attract a younger crowd are the most important sources of the spread of COVID-19 in the state. In fact, more than 70 percent of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Minnesota from June to November have a direct link to weddings, private social gatherings, and nights at bars and restaurants.
“Most young people are taking great precautions to protect themselves and their community,” the governor said. “Most bars and restaurants have done a great job responding to the pandemic and keeping their customers and employees safe. But this virus is spreading like wildfire, and every hangout is now more dangerous than it was a month ago. “
As of this Friday, all bars and restaurants must end their dinner service between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. The interior capacity will be limited to 150 people and may not exceed 50 percent of the total capacity of an establishment. The bar service will remain closed for seats and service in all establishments, in addition to those that only have bar service.
In establishments that only offer counter service, customers can line up with masks and then return to their table. These restrictions follow research showing that these environments become more risky later at night.
Starting Friday, there will also be a 10-person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings, and all social gatherings will be limited to members of three households or fewer.
Capacity limits for receptions related to weddings, funerals and similar events will be set using a staged approach, but will eventually lead to a limit of 25 people. Also, such receptions and similar events cannot take place between 10 pm and 4 am.
All current restrictions also remain in effect. Since the data has not shown a connection between religious services and the recent increase in outbreaks, there will be no change in religious services.
“The rapid expansion in our neighboring states is coming to Minnesota,” said Lt. Governor Flanagan. “We are focused on protecting the health, safety and well-being of Minnesotans during this challenging time. The decisions announced today take firm steps to target the riskiest spaces for COVID-19 to spread, based on the best data and resources available to us. Our team will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and take appropriate steps to keep people safe. “
Jan Malcolm, Health Commissioner, added: “Minnesota is in a dangerous phase of the pandemic with a dramatic increase in new cases. We have seen in other states how bad things can get when you have this type of growth, and that is why it is essential that we take the appropriate measures now to stop the spread of this disease. These focused actions taken by Governor Walz are designed to address some of the hottest hot spots we’ve seen and reduce the burden on our health care system and the heroes who care for us all. “
“Minnesota is at a critical juncture of the pandemic, and if we do not take action now, we will be overwhelmed and face the tragic scenario seen in neighboring states,” said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Infectious Infections Center at the University of Minnesota. Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) and a newly appointed member of President-elect Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board. “Minnesotans need to be aware that overwhelmed health care systems will result in catastrophic impacts from a public health standpoint as well as from an economic and social standpoint.”
Small Business Assistance Grants
To support small businesses that are struggling as they do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19, Governor Walz today announced $ 10 million in small business relief grants. This funding will support an additional 1,000 companies that have applied for the grant program. It supplements hundreds of millions of dollars in small business support that Minnesota has allocated since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Public health and our economic vitality are tied at the hip; We cannot achieve the kind of significant progress we want in economic recovery until we get this pandemic under control. It is also clear that taking no action at this time would do more long-term damage to our economy than if we did a few specific things today, ”said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. “Let’s work together to get this right Minnesota so we can end these regulations as soon as possible and get everyone back to work.”
This announcement comes after a week of record levels of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Neighboring Minnesota states have the highest infection rates in the country. Minnesota’s case positivity rate is above 10 percent, twice the level at which the spread of COVID-19 is considered controllable. On Monday, the governor also announced a significant expansion in barrier-free testing across the state to help control the spread of COVID-19.
Executive Order 20-96 will have full force and effect of law upon approval by the Executive Council, which is comprised of Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and the State Auditor Julie Blaha.
[ad_2]
