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The City of Minneapolis remains committed to delivering high quality services for residents and business in the face of the coronavirus crisis. For an overview of the City's response to COVID-19 and the latest impacts to City services, visit minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus.
To continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 to keep from overwhelming our hospitals and save lives, Gov. Tim Walz today extended the State's stay-at-home order until May 4.
The revised order is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, pushing out the peak of the disease and allowing the state to continue key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include building new hospital capacity, buying ventilators and masks, planning for the protection of those most at risk, expanding testing, and freeing up time to develop critical treatments.
The executive order also extends the closure of bars, restaurants and other public accommodations until May 4.
Minnesotans may leave their homes to get essential items, such as groceries or food, prescriptions and gas. People can also relocate for safety reasons, or go to work if their job is deemed essential in a sector. If you leave your home, practice physical distancing measures and keep 6 feet between you and those around you. Everyone is encouraged to stay active outside during this time, provided they keep a safe distance from others.
Learn more about the stay-at-home-order.
Enforcement of stay-at-home order in Minneapolis
Do not call 911 to report people who are not staying home during the stay-at-home order. Please call 311 if you have concerns about the voluntary compliance of the stay-at-home order involving a business, organization or a group gathering in a public space. We will route all calls to the appropriate City staff for potential action.
With public meetings now happening electronically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes have been made so people who want to participate in public hearings can do so remotely.
Ways to participate in these meetings are detailed at minneapolismn.gov/meetings. People can find out how to watch live meeting broadcasts and get access to agendas, reports and other meeting documents.
When there are public hearings, people have the option to provide live comments by phone. Anyone interested would fill out a form found under the “participate by phone in the meeting” heading. Once submitted, a phone number and conference code will be emailed to that person. Learn more.
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More than $5 million in City funding and new programming is now being dedicated to help renters, families, small businesses and employees hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council partnered on the creation of this special gap funding package. Among other things, the funding will provide housing assistance to low-income renters who have lost income and forgivable, no-interest loans for small businesses. The City is taking steps to make sure these funds complement, not duplicate, the work made possibly by new State and federal funding.
Learn more about the funding available for housing and small businesses.
The bike-share program Nice Ride has launched its 2020 season.
Nice Ride is offering a 30-day program to give critical healthcare workers free bike-share memberships. Through May 6, eligible healthcare workers can sign up through their employer to access unlimited 60-minute trips on the Nice Ride classic bikes for 30 days.
Nice Ride is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health. High-contact surfaces on bikes will be disinfected each time they arrive in the Nice Ride depot. High contact surfaces on vans used to transport vehicles will also be disinfected at the start of each shift. In addition, Nice Ride associates are wearing gloves when handling bikes both in the depot and at high traffic stations.
Learn more about Nice Ride's safety protocols.
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Wear cloth face covers when around others
The CDC and Minnesota Department of Health recommend covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- We now know you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The cloth face cover is meant to help protect other people in case you are infected and are not exhibiting symptoms and their cloth cover is meant to help protect you.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for keeping a safe distance.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Exceptions: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do not wear medical-grade or surgical masks. Those are in high need in health care facilities to protect health care workers.
- Viruses don’t discriminate and neither should we. Help fight the stigma around mask wearing. Report discrimination to the new state anti-discrimination hotline: 1-833-454-0148.
The CDC website offers instructions for making homemade cloth masks with or without sewing.
See an infographic on using masks.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board urges all park users to follow these guideline to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep the park system open:
Stay at least 6 feet apart from other park users not part of your household.
This means you may have to go a little slower and be mindful of others as you pass.
Do not participate in group activities where you can’t always stay 6 feet apart.
No pickup basketball, soccer, football, volleyball or other team sports. No group activities with people from outside your household, like grilling, hammocking or sunbathing in close proximity.
Do not drive across the city or metro to visit popular park attractions.
97% of Minneapolis residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Use the parks and open space available in your neighborhood.
Use parks in moderation.
Visit parks for a walk, bike or roll, but do not hang out at the park all day.
An overview of what's open and closed in Minneapolis parks.
It’s important to have a plan for your pets if you are unable to care for them. Minneapolis Animal Care & Control has helpful tips on how to include your pets in preparedness planning for pandemics, severe weather and other emergencies:
- Post a rescue alert sign.
- Gather information about your pets.
- Prepare a disaster kit for your pet.
Watch this YouTube video or visit minneapolismn.gov/animals/emergencyplanning for more information.
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Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Gov Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have launched a Discrimination Helpline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hotline will allow those who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Toll-free helpline: 1-833-454-0148
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Tune into the City's cultural radio programs for COVID-19 updates. The City has weekly programs on KMOJ 89.9 FM (English); La Raza 95.7 FM (Spanish); KALY 101.7 FM (Somali); and WIXK AM 1590 (Hmong.) Radio shows schedule
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