COVID-19 dashboard on Open Ramsey County
Find the latest Ramsey County data about COVID-19 through a new digital dashboard on Open Ramsey County with detailed demographic information on a range of data. The dashboard uses data that Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health receives from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Emergency assistance available for rent and utilities
Emergency assistance is available for those who are experiencing interruptions in their income and having trouble paying for rent, mortgage or utilities. Ramsey County has recently made updates to eligibility requirements and increased maximum dollar limits for those seeking relief during COVID-19.
Learn more about eligibility updates and how to apply
Beaches closed
Ramsey County beaches will remain closed until further notice to help slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the health and safety of the community. Parks and Recreation and Public Health will continue to monitor guidelines and best practices to determine if and when beaches can reopen this season.
Park and picnic reservations
Park shelter and pavilion rentals will be available to groups of 10 or fewer, aligning with Minnesota Executive Order 20-56. Reservations can be made by calling 651-748-2500. Parks and Recreation staff will contact larger groups with existing reservations that are impacted by this change.
Tamarack day camps
Tamarack Nature Center day camps originally taking place between June 22 and July 2 will be rescheduled for August. Staff will continue to monitor public health guidelines and best practices, making necessary adjustments to day camp operations to allow for social distancing. Staff will be contacting families who are registered for sessions impacted by this change.
Stay Safe MN in effect
The Stay Safe Order encourages Minnesotans to stay close to home but allows gatherings of friends and family of 10 people or less, if proper social distancing measures like staying six feet apart and wearing a mask are taken. The order also further opens retail stores and other businesses if they have a preparedness plan and operate at 50 percent occupancy. The Stay Safe Order has several phases with new options for restaurants, bars, campgrounds and personal services opening after June 1.
During the Stay Safe Order, Minnesotans may leave their homes. If you leave your home, wear a mask and practice social distancing measures, including staying six feet between you and those around you. Individuals at heightened risk of serious COVID-19 infections are strongly urged to stay home except for necessary activities and work.
Learn more about Stay Safe MN
Recommendations for safely observing Ramadan
Muslim leaders across Minnesota collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a list of recommendations for observing Ramadan safely this year, including: - Praying at home instead of at mosque. - Connecting with family by phone, text, video chats, letters or notes. - Preparing and sharing food safely, including preparing and delivering Iftar dinners.
Mental health first aid
Struggling to cope with the stress of daily life, parenting or the new challenges of COVID-19? Worried about family or friends? Concerned you don’t have food or basic supplies? Feeling lonely, hopeless, or have thoughts of suicide? Help is one call away. Call Ramsey County Mental Health First Aid.
Adults: 651-266-7900 Children (under 18): 651-266-7878
View additional mental health resources
Food assistance resources available
Anyone in Ramsey County:
- Can connect to your local food shelf or other meal programs if you need food.
- May be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if you’re struggling to pay for food.
All children under age one:
- Can get free meals and snacks weekly from your local school district (delivered or picked up near you).
People pregnant or parenting children under age 5:
- May be eligible for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
All adults over age 60:
- Can get free or reduced cost delivered meals.
View a list of food resources
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Gibbs Farm closed through June 30
Gibbs Farm will be closed to the public and all scheduled programs including camps and field trips will be cancelled until June 30.
View COVID-19 updates from the Ramsey County Historical Society and Gibbs Farm
Ramsey County small business relief fund coming soon
Ramsey County is developing a small business relief fund to provide emergency assistance to small businesses throughout the county adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be available at the end of May to help provide reopening assistance to businesses with 20 or fewer employees.
Now hiring
While many businesses have been ordered to temporarily close to slow the spread of COVID-19, some Minnesota businesses are hiring large numbers of workers and even offering hiring incentives.
View the list of employers
Employment services
Has your job been impacted by COVID-19?
Free employment services are available to all Ramsey County residents through our Workforce Solutions department and our service partner, CareerForce.
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Unemployment assistance
State and local resources are available for people whose jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Volunteer as a business mentor for the Pay It Forward program
Volunteers are needed for Pay It Forward, a new program providing free assistance to local businesses by helping them navigate COVID-19 grant and loan relief opportunities. The program will connect financial professionals with small business owners in Saint Paul and suburban Ramsey County who are seeking assistance.
Volunteer
Pay It Forward is currently looking for a diverse group of experienced volunteers to serve as business mentors. Based on skills, availability and language abilities, volunteers will be screened and trained by a SCORE Saint Paul advisor or community partner and then matched with local business owners to assist with their specific needs. Pay it Forward business mentor volunteers are community members with business and financial expertise.
To ensure all businesses in our community can access this new program, community members who can speak Hmong, Somali, Oromo, Spanish and Karen are strongly encouraged to apply. Interested community members can apply to serve as a business mentor on the program home page.
View additional COVID-19 business resources from Ramsey County Community & Economic Development.
COVID-19 preparedness plan template and instructions
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has created a template for COVID-19 preparedness plans.
A completed business preparedness plan is not required to submit to DLI for approval, but needs to be made available upon request.
Non-critical sector industrial and office-based businesses that are non-customer facing are allowed to reopen as long as they have created a COVID-19 preparedness plan.
Businesses that were included on the critical sector list and already open prior to April 27 are not required to create a COVID-19 preparedness plan.
View additional resources and guidance on businesses reopening from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Recovery dashboard
A recovery dashboard has been launched at RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com to help quickly navigate available federal, state and local resources.
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Event updates |
Neighborhood bird week at Tamarack Nature Center
Bird watching is a great activity that can easily be done while practicing social distancing and is just one reason why interest in the activity is soaring. Tamarack Nature Center is hosting neighborhood bird week to introduce you to birding through free virtual programming. Follow along on Facebook or YouTube to take part in this series. In addition, join us at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22 for a live Q & A session with Tamarack’s naturalists.
Virtual storytime from Ramsey County librarians
May 23 is Beyoncé Day in Minnesota! Join us and author Sarah Warren on Facebook Live as she reads from her new book, "Beyoncé: Shine Your Light."
Sarah Warren is an author and early childhood educator who is dedicated to bringing multicultural, everyday heroes to life in elementary schools where children do not often see themselves reflected in the literature they experience.
This event is funded with money from the Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
View additional resources from Ramsey County Library
Movie recommendations from Ramsey County Library
Do you need something new to watch? Do you want to learn more about Kanopy and what's available to stream? Ramsey County librarians are ready to give out recommendations based on your favorite movies and films. Join us for the Virtual Reader's Advisory event.
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