City of Minneapolis COVID-19 Update, April 29, 2020

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April 29, 2020

The City of Minneapolis remains committed to delivering high quality services for residents and business in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. For an overview of the City's response to COVID-19 and the latest impacts to City services, visit minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus. 

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Mayor Frey delivers State of the City Address

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Mayor Jacob Frey taped and released his third State of the City Address on April 29. 

In his remarks, Frey highlighted the City’s response to COVID-19, Minneapolis’ role – as the largest and densest city in the state – in protecting public health, and emphasized the City’s commitment to continue delivering core services. 

“If you take away anything from this speech, let it be these two promises: our core City services will continue to be delivered with excellence, and we will prioritize first those who are struggling the most,” Frey said. 

Earlier this month, Frey launched a $5 million Gap Funding Package to fund emergency rental assistance for low-income households and support for impacted small businesses.

The Gap Funding Package is expected to provide at least 1,500 households or roughly 6,000 people with up to $1,500 or, in some cases, $2,000 in rental assistance. The small business gap funds, expected to serve 220 to 440 Minneapolis companies, include $5,000-$10,000 forgivable loans and a revamped zero percent loan program.

The first rental assistance checks will be disbursed next week. The City expects to start sending out notifications for the forgivable loans in the next two weeks.

Watch Mayor Frey's State of the City Address


City of Minneapolis makes additional changes to transportation network in response to pandemic

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The City of Minneapolis is making additional updates to the public right-of-way in response to COVID-19, including adding more space for active recreation on streets and reducing the need for pedestrian push buttons at intersections.

Starting Wednesday, April 29, the City will implement 11 miles of Stay Healthy Streets routes to support more space for walking, biking and rolling while social distancing. Three separate loop routes will mostly follow local residential streets. These local streets will generally be closed to thru traffic and calmed to allow for people to safely walk, bike, or roll in the street. Car access for residents will be retained. Additional details on Stay Healthy Streets are available on the City’s website.

The City has transitioned traffic signals to reduce the need for pedestrians to push the button at more than 400 signalized intersections.

Learn more about the changes


Public health information: Slow the spread of COVID-19

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Make your own cloth face covers to wear when around others

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With recommendations coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health to cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others and even requirements starting up in places such as New York, you can make your own face covers whether you sew or not.

Instructions

The CDC website offers simple instructions for making homemade cloth masks with or without sewing.

Why wear a face cover?

We now know you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you have no symptoms. The cloth face cover is meant to help protect other people in case you are infected and are not showing symptoms, and their cloth cover is meant to help protect you.

Learn more about guidance for wearing cloth masks


When you need to drive, drive more slowly for safety

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Since the COVID-19 emergency started, fatal traffic crashes have more than doubled statewide compared to average even as total crashes are down. This is likely in large part because of increased speeding. We can work together to change that and reduce the demand on our healthcare systems to save capacity for COVID-19 patients. 

Please drive at safe speeds when you need to drive. Slower speeds on our streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how they get around. Lower traffic speeds reduce the likelihood of a crash and make a crash less likely to lead to death or a life-changing injury.

To support safety, the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are in the process of lowering speed limits on most streets. Staff will finish installing new speed limit signs this fall.

The new speed limits will generally be 20 miles per hour on local residential streets and 25 miles per hour on larger City-owned streets. Speed limits on county roads and MnDOT trunk highways will continue to be signed at 30 mph or higher. We encourage people to start driving at slower speeds even if new speed limits aren’t yet in effect.

Learn more at visionzerompls.com.


Minneapolis parks remain open but some amenities modified or closed for health of community

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Minneapolis park visitors have continued to congregate despite efforts to educate and encourage safe social distancing.

As a result, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has announced it is modifying or closing more of its amenities for the health and safety of park visitors and the community. Modifications and closures are expected to be complete by May 1.

Parks remain open however, based on public health recommendations the following amenities have, or soon will be, modified or closed:

  • By May 1: playgrounds, skate parks and athletic fields will be closed; tennis court nets removed; basketball court rims blocked or removed.
  • Already in place: volleyball nets will remain down and trail users need to remain 6 feet apart.
  • As weather warms: signage will soon be added at picnic areas to limit gathering to 10 people or less and signage will be added to disc golf areas with social distancing guidelines, similar to new guidelines at MPRB golf courses.

Learn more about the changes


Resources for businesses

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Resources for workers

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Minneapolis sick and safe time ordinance

Under the City’s sick and safe time ordinance, employers are required to provide access to sick leave (or more generous leave) to all employees in Minneapolis. Leave must be paid by employers (unless they employ five or fewer workers) and accrual and use balances must be provided on pay stubs.

An employee's accrued sick and safe time hours are legally protected for their use due to COVID-19 symptoms, testing or infection. Protection extends to the employee and the employee's care of a covered family member. Learn more about how COVID-19 impacts sick and safe time protections

Additional resources: 


Housing resources


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


Community resources and ways to help

  • Community support: Learn how to help and find other community resources.
  • Hennepin County helpline for people impacted by COVID-19: 612-348-3000. The helpline is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Get help with clothing, financial assistance, groceries, medical care and equipment, and medication. Help is provided in multiple languages.
  • Find tips from Meet Minneapolis on ways to support our local business community. 

digital puzzle

If you're looking for another fun virtual activity, Meet Minneapolis has 14 digital puzzles showcasing popular landmarks across the city.


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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