COVID-19 Updates: November 19, 2020

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Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Updates

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Minnesota Department of Health

November 19, 2020

Minnesota News and Outreach

4-week pause to slow the spread

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced Executive Order 20-99, which dials back certain activities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dial Back, Minnesota is a four-week pause of most social activities, in-person dining, sports, and indoor fitness activity in group settings. While some businesses can continue to offer goods and services in a safe manner, many others will again have to weather the challenge of adjusting their operations to “to-go” or virtual means.

Starting Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. to Dec. 18 at 11:59 p.m.:

  • No indoor or outdoor dining at restaurants and bars. 
    Up to five customers at a time may be inside the establishment to pick up takeout and delivery orders.
  • Organized sports for youth and adults are not allowed.
  • Gyms, fitness and yoga studios, martial arts, and dance studios will be closed.
    All indoor facilities at outdoor recreation sites will also be closed.
  • Public pools and rec centers will be closed.
  • Indoor entertainment venues will be closed.
  • Receptions, celebrations, and private parties must be canceled or postponed.
    Weddings, funerals, and other similar planned ceremonies can be held with the current rules in place, but all receptions and gatherings connected to these ceremonies must be canceled or postponed.
  • Do not gather with people from other households.
    No indoor or outdoor gatherings, except with immediate household members.
    No person from outside your immediate household should enter your home.

This is a time to look out for one another. Shop local, get carry out, and buy online gift cards locally. These temporary changes will help to reduce the number of infections while safely supporting our schools, hospitals, and economy. For more information and guidance, visit Stay Safe MN.

Dial back to save lives: restrictions begin Friday, Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. Stay Safe MN

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials

We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

COVID-19 Translated Materials

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response

Videos for COVID-19 Response


The situation is changing rapidly. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up-to-date information and follow MDH on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed.

What's New

Guidance and Resources

NEW:

UPDATED:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-99 UPDATES:

NOTE: As new Executive Orders and recommendations are issued, we will review and update the guidance and resources on our website accordingly. Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links to know when the resource was last revised.


Text notification for cases and close contacts

We expanded our toolkit for case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) by notifying people via text message that a case interviewer from state, local, or tribal health departments will be calling to discuss their COVID-19 test results or potential exposure. This initiative began on Nov. 16 and aims to more effectively reach and inform Minnesotans.

The text message is simple:
Answer the Call: State and local public health department staff will be calling you with important information about your health. Please answer the call from xxx-xxx-xxxx. This is an automated text message, please do not reply.

The phone number in the text will vary depending on the region of the state the person is in and will help people know what number to look for so more calls get answered and interviews get completed.

Read the news release: Health department to begin texting program to reach positive cases, close contacts.


Minnesota recognized for COVID-19 data

Minnesota has ranked the best in the nation in sharing essential COVID-19 information through its online dashboard, according to a new national report published by Resolve to Save Lives, part of the global health organization Vital Strategies. The report analyzed the quality and breadth of COVID-19 information shared by all 50 states and found that Minnesota had the strongest COVID-19 data dashboard in the nation, praising Minnesota’s dashboard for providing “robust information, enabling communities to be better informed on the local spread of COVID-19 and risk of infection.”

Minnesota’s COVID-19 data:

Read the report: Tracking COVID-19 in the United States: Progress and Opportunities.

Minnesota Helpline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic

651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.