Stay Safe MN
Yesterday, Governor Walz announced that the current Stay at Home order will be allowed to expire as scheduled, to be replaced with a Stay Safe order. The new order allows customer facing retail to begin opening their doors to customers on May 18 provided those businesses do all the following:
- have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in place
- follow physical distancing guidelines
- operate at less than 50% occupancy
The City of Minneapolis supports local retailers, their employees, and customers in reopening safely. Businesses are not required to open on May 18 and should take the time they need to prepare. If you have ideas about how we can best support your business in this process, we want to hear it. Share your suggestions for ways the City can help you implement best practices or provide flexibility to operate in new ways.
What do I need to do to open my retail business to customers?
DEED’s Safely Returning to Work site is the best source for guidance about how specific business types can safely be open to customers, requirements for reopening and guidance on safe operations.
- You must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in place in order to re-open, which includes protocols for worker and customer distancing, limiting occupancy to 50% or less, encouraging the use of masks, following appropriate cleaning and disinfecting practices. Retail businesses do not need to secure individual approval from the State or City in order to reopen.
- Employee health screening
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Per CDC guidelines, employee health screening questions should be asked. Screening questions may be asked to employees verbally. If an employee answers yes to any of these questions, they should be sent home.
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The City’s Sick and Safe Time ordinance helps ensure that workers have some access to employer-provided sick leave, such that they do not work while sick.
Please note: Retail businesses do not need to secure individual approval from the State or City to reopen.
Helpful resources for best practices include the Target S.A.F.E. toolkit for retail.
What about other businesses that are still required to be closed?
The Governor has directed state agencies to develop guidelines for allowing hair salons and barbers, in person dining in restaurants and bars, and fitness centers to reopen in some form as early as June 1. The City of Minneapolis wants to hear your suggestions for how we can support your business in reopening safely. The City will consider your suggestions as we develop local guidance.
Looking for other resources?
You do not have to navigate this alone. The City of Minneapolis has expanded Business Technical Assistance Program services to make sure that you have an expert to talk to about your specific situation, or contact the City’s Small Business Team at 612-673-2499 or smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov.
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