A message from Mayor Wiersum
Dear Minnetonka residents,
Best wishes to you and your families in this dynamic time. Life during the COVID-19 pandemic has been surreal and ever-changing in ways that affect us all.
I continue to hear from many of you each week with concerns, suggestions and questions, and I want you to know we as a city are doing everything we can to support you and our businesses as this situation continues to unfold.
The governor’s “Stay at Home” order transitions to “Stay Safe MN” on May 18, and the State of Emergency has been extended until June 12. At Monday’s city council meeting, the council will review our city’s State of Emergency, and consider extending it to match the state’s timeline.
What’s changing May 18? Retail stores, malls and other main street businesses can reopen if they have a safety plan and operate at 50 percent occupancy. Minnesotans may gather with friends and family in groups of 10 or fewer. People are strongly encouraged to work from home if possible, wear a mask in public, stay six feet apart, stay home when sick and get tested for any COVID-19 symptoms.
Guidance on how to safely re-open restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons is being developed, with a plan to allow these businesses to re-open June 1.
The governor described these changes as, “slowly moving a dial.” If these modest moves go well, the dial may continue to move. If they result in a spike in COVID-19 cases or deaths, it could be dialed back the other direction.
This is an important new phase for us – as a city and a state. It’s time to start moving forward and take some intelligent, calculated risks. I beg and implore my fellow Minnetonka residents to be prudent and careful as you venture out. “Moving the dial” only works if it’s done responsibly. We must keep ourselves and those around us safe.
Continue to wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick (or vulnerable), socially distance, do not congregate in groups and wear a mask when you go out.
I view this as a simple matter of respect. Ignoring the accepted safe behavior infringes on the rights of our fellow residents. In Minnetonka, we respect one another, our rights and our freedom.
Thank you to my fellow Minnetonka residents for being so diligent in this crisis. I ask that you continue your efforts, and even double them. Be safe, be kind and be well. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Stay updated
Visit minnetonkamn.gov/coronavirus to sign up for email or text updates and to find information and an abundance of helpful resources for residents and businesses, including ways to help those in need.
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