City of Minneapolis COVID-19 Update, April 15, 2020

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April 15, 2020

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.


Health Department seeking applicants for COVID-19 community outreach grants

The Minneapolis Health Department is releasing $100,000 through a request for application process to support the work being done to respond to COVID-19 and to ensure that the basic needs of the community are being met.

Applicant agencies may apply for up to $15,000 for COVID-19 response activities to take place between May 15, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020 focused on underserved, cultural and vulnerable communities. The application deadline is April 24. More information about eligibility, available funding, project scope and activities, and other details can be found on the City's website.


Applications open for new forgivable small business loans through April 20

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Applications for the City’s new forgivable $5,000 and $10,000 small business loans are open.

The loans are part of the Minneapolis gap funding package for small businesses, renters, and families. Eligible businesses must be located in targeted areas, such as Cultural Districts, Promise Zones, Green Zones or ACP 50 neighborhoods. Applications for the new funds will close Monday, April 20 at noon. 

Documentation status does not affect eligibility. The City’s new forgivable loan is available to businesses with 20 or fewer employees and/or less than $1 million in revenue. The loans have no-payment and no-interest and are 100 percent forgivable after 12-months if the business continues to operate in Minneapolis and remains in good regulatory standing.

These loans allow eligible businesses to meet immediate working capital needs such as payroll and employee benefits, rent or mortgage payments, accounts payable and payments due to supply chain, and other critical working capital needs. The City will not be looking at credit scores, and no collateral is required.

The application is available here and also posted in Somali, Spanish, and Hmong. For questions about the application process, call Minneapolis 311.

The City is also working to launch a modified 2 percent loan program as part of the gap funding package. The City’s existing 2% participation loan program for small businesses will be modified to set the interest rate to 0% and expand the eligible expenses to include working capital costs. Eligible businesses and self-employed workers need to have 20 or fewer employees or $1 million or less in annual revenue, and also be able to show a demonstrable impact from the pandemic. 

Learn more about Minneapolis gap funding


Street sweeping starts Tuesday, April 21

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Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what had accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 21 for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 20, drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs.

Starting April 21 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets in addition to sweeping alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to do their part in making this successful and follow street sweeping parking rules, or they may have their cars ticketed and towed. Read more


Police Chief Arradondo's statement on officers' protective gear

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo issued a statement April 13 providing an update on how MPD is responding to the pandemic. 

"The Minneapolis Police Department is here for you when you need us as we all continue to adapt to changes due to the COVID-19 virus," Arradondo said. "You may see the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department wearing masks and face coverings. While mask and face coverings are not a standard part of the MPD uniform, and some may find it uncomfortable engaging with an officer wearing a mask, I ask for your understanding during these unprecedented times. This is just one way we are working together to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus."

Read the full statement


Stay-at-home order extended to May 4

To continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 to keep from overwhelming our hospitals and save lives, Gov. Tim Walz has extended the State's stay-at-home order 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. 

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Public health information: Slow the spread of COVID-19

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.

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Park Board urges everyone to practice physical distancing to keep parks open

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board reminds 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.
  • Do not participate in group activities where you can’t always stay 6 feet apart.
  • Do not drive across the city or metro to visit popular park attractions.
  • Use parks in moderation.

Read more about the guidelines

An overview of what's open and closed in Minneapolis parks


Minneapolis Animal Care & Control seeking emergency foster homes to avoid shelter overcrowding

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) is preparing for a possible influx of animals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To avoid shelter overcrowding, MACC hopes to recruit members of the community for emergency foster homes.

Foster homes help manage the shelter population by increasing MACC's capacity for care and allowing staff to better focus resources. It also keeps animals well by reducing stress on their immune systems and mental health. 

MACC will provide all the supplies to care for the animal and needs foster homes that: 

  • Can commit to take an animal for at least four weeks
  • Have reliable transportation to pickup the animal and supplies
  • Can keep the animal separate from other animals you may have in your household

Learn more about the application process


Practice your severe weather plans during Severe Weather Awareness Week April 13-17

Even during a pandemic, severe weather can still happen. As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week April 13-17, outdoor sirens will be sounded at 6:55 p.m., Thursday, April 16, to allow families and second-shift workers to practice their severe weather response. Please take a few minutes that evening to talk with the members of your household about where you’ll take shelter.

To make sure you’re aware of any imminent weather danger, consider subscribing to an electronic weather alert service that sends you a notice via email or text message. Learn about options for wireless emergency alerts and smartphone apps.

Learn more about Severe Weather Awareness Week

Read more about how to prepare


Resources for businesses

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Resources for workers


Housing resources


State launches helpline to report discrimination

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 helpline 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.

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Hennepin County Library system offering curbside pickup

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Hennepin County Library is committed to providing patrons expanded access to online resources and safe access to physical materials.

Curbside pickup is available at eight regional library locations, including two in Minneapolis: Washburn, and Webber Park.

Hours for curbside pickup: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn more about the pickup process


City's cultural radio programs now weekly

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


Updates from City partners


Minneapolis Public Schools offering free food for children during school closure

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is offering free, weekly food pickup for all children 18 and under at nearly 50 food distribution sites across the city of Minneapolis.

Each day, up to 10 different sites across the city offer food pickup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Food boxes contains five breakfasts and five lunches, including fresh fruits and vegetables and items that families can heat at home. 

Children do not need to be enrolled in MPS to receive food and families are welcome to take one box per child per week.

Pick-up locations and more information

Families can also download the Free Meals for Kids mobile app to find their nearest food pick-up sites. 


Community resources and ways to help


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Check out Meet Minneapolis' guide on social distancing the Minneapolis way. It includes tips on staying active, supporting local businesses, finding art and more.


COVID 19 sign up

 

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact City Communications at communications@minneapolismn.gov.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.

minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus