Dear Friends,
Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the longest peacetime emergency in Minnesota’s history. Over the past year, Minnesotans made countless sacrifices. We lost loved ones to COVID-19, but we also saw livelihoods stripped away from the economic consequences of government shutdowns.
Last night, I spoke about the need to bring an end to the Governor’s emergency powers. We heard this morning the good news that businesses will have more restrictions lifted starting Monday (see below.) If we can give Minnesotans more opportunities to congregate, the era of “emergency” is over. It’s time for the Governor to work with the legislature to come up with a plan to bring this pandemic to a safe and swift conclusion.
Dialing Back COVID Guidelines
This morning we learned that Gov. Walz is loosening restrictions on restaurants, gyms, event centers, and other businesses. Starting Monday, the following changes will take effect:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
- Youth sports: Pod size increasing to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Religious services: Remove occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Celebrations: Follow venue guidance.
- Bars and restaurants: Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
- Salons/barbers: Removing the occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people.
- Entertainment venues: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.As summer nears, the state will adjust guidelines for large venues. All venues can open at 50% capacity up to 250 people. Venues with normal occupant capacity over 500 can add additional guests, effective April 1:
- Seated outdoor venues can add an additional 25% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Non-seated outdoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Seated indoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Non-seated indoor venues can add an additional 10% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
As more Minnesotans are vaccinated, work from home will no longer be required – but it will continue to be strongly recommended – beginning April 15. All employers should continue to accommodate employees who wish to work from home.
California Car Comment Period Closing
On Monday, March 15 at 4:30pm, the comment period on Gov. Walz’s California Car Mandate will close. The Governor is trying to enact this policy thru an administrative rule instead of working with the legislature. The California Car Mandate would raise the cost of all new vehicles by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and make Minnesota the only state in the Midwest to place burdensome mandates on auto dealerships.
I highly encourage you to let your voice be heard on this important issue. Leave a comment here by signing in and then scrolling to the bottom of the page to submit your thoughts on the California Car Mandate.
