Greetings, Senate District 2!
This week I’m writing to you with plenty of COVID-19 updates and information. Since Tuesday, Governor Walz has issued three additional Executive Orders, most notably, the Stay at Home order that began Friday night. Thursday, the Senate returned to the Capitol to pass the Coronavirus Relief Package, an omnibus bill that serves many Minnesotsa sectors. Below there is an overview of what this Stay at Home order can and should look like for you, what the Coronavirus Relief Package entails, and some helpful links and resources to help you navigate all the information coming your way.
Stay at Home Order
On Wednesday, Governor Walz passed Executive Order 20-20 which establishes a shelter-in-place starting tonight at 11:59 p.m. and lasting until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10. The list of reasons you still can and should leave your house include:
- Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies
- Outdoor activities, such as walking pets, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing
- Necessary Supplies and Services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out
- Essential and interstate travel, such as returning to home from outside this state
- Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household
- Displacement, such as moving between emergency or homeless shelters if you are without a home
- Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home has been unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or essential operations reasons
- Tribal Activities & Lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservations
The stay at home order does limit large social gatherings, and going to visit nursing homes or hospitals in order to protect more vulnerable members of the population. For more information, visit Stay Home MN FAQ. Along with the shelter-in-place order issued on Wednesday, Governor Walz also extended the closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation until May 1st, while schools will implement distance learning until May 4th.
For businesses and employees wondering what exactly qualifies as essential or critical business beyond grocery stores, hospitals, gas stations, etc, the answer isn’t necessarily black and white. However, there are numerous resources available to answer these questions. Follow the links at the bottom of this page under “Small Business” to visit MN DEED resources and determine business classification.
Coronavirus Relief Package
Yesterday, both the MN House and Senate passed a lengthy bill that allocated over $330 million to support Minnesotan businesses, child care providers, farmers, unemployed, and many others as Coronavirus impacts continue to be felt by all Minnesotans. Below I’ve highlighted some essential parts of the bill:
• Peacetime emergency child care grants: MN DHS granted the authority to administer emergency grants from April 1st to December 31st of 2020 through Child Care Aware.
• Food shelve funding: Appropriation to support food shelves across MN as demand for essentials has risen.
• MN Dept of Commerce flexibility: Gives the commissioner the authority to delay, stay, or wave licensing and other deadlines from now until 60 days following the end of the peacetime emergency.
• Unemployment insurance: Makes unemployment insurance more attainable for those impacted by Coronavirus closures through removing barriers including waiting periods and job search requirements.
• DEED State Loan Guarantee Program: Creates a small business (under 250 employees) loan program through DEED and appropriates $10 million to the fund. Loans are to be used for machinery or equipment purchases, maintenance, or repair; expenses related to moving into or within Minnesota; and working capital. Allows loans to be guaranteed for 80 percent of a loan up to $200,000.
• Small Business Emergency Loan Program: Creates a small business emergency loan account of $30 million.
• Driver’s License Extension: Extends the expiration dates of driver’s licenses, state identification cards, disability certificates, and disability permits for two months after the peacetime emergency is declared over.
Additional Links and Resources
Small Businesses
The MN DEED COVID Page has links to Small Business Emergency Loan, Federal SBA Disaster Loan, and Unemployment Insurance information.
There are three MN DEED pages for employers seeking exemptions or trying to determine if they are exempt:
- Tools for businesses to figure out if they are on the exempt list.
- Definitions that are helpful in clarifying some details of many industries.
- Apply here if business is considered non-essential to request an exemption from the Governor’s order.
If you need further clarification regarding the resources above please email criticalsectors@state.mn.us.
Other Resources
Governor Walz’s Executive Orders
COVID-19 Hotlines:
Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Schools and child care questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
As always, feel free to reach me by phone at (651)-296-9651 or by email at sen.paul.utke@senate.mn, and follow my Facebook page for more updates.