Gov. Tim Walz Suspends Evictions During Spread Of Coronavirus

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Monday signed several more executive orders in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, including one that suspends evictions during the state's ongoing peacetime emergency.

"Loss of housing is catastrophic at any time, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, this loss endangers the health and well-being of all Minnesotans," the governor's office said in a statement.

"While this order clarifies that tenants who can continue to pay rent during the peacetime emergency should continue to do so, landlords and financial institutions cannot begin eviction proceedings that would remove tenants from stable housing."

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Walz signed orders while self-quarantining at home Monday after a member of his security detail tested positive for COVID-19.

Emergency loans for small businesses

Walz also signed Executive Order 20-15 Monday to authorize the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to establish a Small Business Emergency Loan program for small businesses affected the spread of COVID-19.

Minnesota’s small businesses and independent contractors are amongst the worst hit by the pandemic, the governor's office notes. DEED’s emergency loan program will help Minnesota small business owners who need immediate assistance during COVID-19 closures.

Personal protective equipment

As hospitals and health care providers report shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Walz signed Executive Order 20-16 Monday directing all non-hospital entities to conduct an inventory of their PPE, ventilators, respirators, and anesthesia machines, report the result to the state, and either donate such equipment to a local coordinating entity or preserve it.

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