Because of COVID-19, the safest way to celebrate is at home with only the people who live with you. Anytime you get together with people who do not live with you, the risk of getting COVID-19 goes up for everyone. Please do your part.

Safer holiday celebrations during COVID-19.

As a reminder, an updated Stay Safe MN Executive Order 20-103 is in effect through Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 and requires all Minnesotans to:

• Limit indoor social gatherings to two households with no more than 10 people, and stay 6 feet apart from anyone you don’t live with.
• Limit outdoor social gatherings to three households with no more than 15 people, and stay 6 feet apart from anyone you don’t live with.
• Postpone large gatherings and events, including any receptions and social gatherings related to weddings and funerals.

More information about safer holiday celebrations during COVID-19.

A new COVID-19 care hotline for refugees and immigrants is now available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Resettlement Network. Available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the hotline, 651-318-0989, will ensure refugees and immigrants can get accurate, timely information about the COVID-19 pandemic and other services offered through the Resettlement Network.

Hotline staff speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala, Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Language line help is available for callers needing any other language.

For more information on the hotline and other resources and helpline numbers, visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Community Coordinators page.

The Minnesota Legislature has approved a $217 million relief package for businesses impacted by COVID-19 executive orders. About half of the package will be given to counties to distribute through grant programs to local businesses by March 15, 2021.

Through the package, Ramsey County will receive $10.7 million to distribute to businesses. At this time, we anticipate that most of the funding will be used to supplement the Small Business Relief Fund.

Launched in June, the Small Business Relief Fund has been investing $15 million of CARES Act funding into Ramsey County businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs / sole proprietors. 

Information on future application periods for the Small Business Relief Fund or other grant programs will be available once we’ve further reviewed existing applications to determine the amount of remaining funds available.

Learn more.

Are you or do you know a Minnesota high school student who lost a job because of COVID-19?

Qualified student workers may qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. Apply now at uimn.org to determine your eligibility. Applications must be completed by Dec. 26, 2020.

Information on how to apply.

The deadline to submit applications for the Ramsey County Resiliency Fund is Dec. 30 at noon.

Financial support is available for community organizations that provide food and basic needs, health and well-being, and workforce services to residents in 2020. The fund is an initiative of the Ramsey County Investment and Support Efforts program and open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

All 11 Ramsey County arenas will remain closed to the general public through at least Jan. 3. The extended closure is in compliance with Emergency Executive Order 20-103, issued by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Arenas are projected to reopen on Monday, January 4 for youth and adult practices.

Parks & Recreation staff will be in communication with associations and user groups to discuss possible rescheduling of reservations. Updates will be available through ramseycounty.us/Arenas and social media on an ongoing basis.

Winter Reads encourages busy adults to delight in reading during the dark months of winter. Starting Jan. 2, read four books and you will be entered for a chance at a grand prize. This year's giveaways include a Winter Reads theme mask and bookmarks, while supplies last.

Start reading by:

• Signing up online at rclreads.beanstack.org.
• Or downloading the Beanstack app, available on Google Play or Apple App Store.
  • Select the Winter Reads program.

Learn more.