Phase II Of Reopening Minnesota Starts June 1

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday announced plans to allow limited outdoor dining at restaurants and bars starting June 1, 2020. The governor also announced that salons and barbershops will be allowed to open June 1 at 25 percent occupancy to ensure the safety of both the employees and the customers inside.

In both industries, customers will be either strongly recommended or required to wear masks, make reservations, and adhere to social distancing requirements to keep themselves, other customers, and employees safe.

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"Our restaurants and bars are an integral part of the social fabric of Minnesota, and it has been heartbreaking to see this pandemic wreak havoc on our hospitality industry," Walz said in a statement.

"While the virus won’t yet allow for business as usual, let’s do what we do best after winter in Minnesota and head outside. Whether it’s a Jucy Lucy, a plate of tamales, or a walleye dinner, Minnesotans can support their local restaurant by enjoying a socially distanced meal outdoors."

Outdoor dining can begin on June 1, with restaurants maintaining social distancing and seating no more than 50 patrons at a time. In addition to outdoor dining, restaurants and bars will be able to continue to offer takeout, curbside, and delivery services, which have been permitted throughout the pandemic in Minnesota.

While Minnesota has ranked first in the nation for takeout and delivery patronage during the outbreak of COVID-19, restaurants and bars have been closed for in-person dining since March 17. Since then, Minnesota has worked with the health care sector to expand health care capacity and procure ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.

On May 13, Walz replaced Minnesota’s Stay Home order with a Stay Safe order as Minnesota continues to safely turn the dial back towards normal life. The Stay Safe order includes a plan for a phased reopening of society as well as a plan to dial back based on the rate of testing, new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

"While all Minnesotans are eager to get a haircut, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our salons and barbershops that put their businesses on hold in order to allow the state time to prepare for COVID-19," Walz continued. "With the addition of safety measures like personal protective equipment and a limited number of people inside, it’s safe to say we’re not going back to normal. But we can cautiously turn the dial back as Minnesotans continue to do their part to stay safe. Make a reservation, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay home if you’re feeling sick."

Outdoor dining and limited salon occupancy are part of phase II of Walz’s Stay Safe Plan. This phase will go into effect on June 1 and will include the opening of campgrounds and other recreational activities.

More information on the actives included in the various phases within the Stay Safe Plan can be found here.

Business must continue to protect their employees while also taking steps to protect their customers, according to a news release. More information on worker protections can be found here.

Coronavirus in Minnesota

As of Wednesday, 777 Minnesotans have died of COVID-19. More than 17,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the state.

Total positive cases: 17,670

• Number of health care workers: 2,025

Total cases requiring hospitalization: 2,308

• Hospitalized as of Wednesday: 550
• Hospitalized in ICU as of Wednesday: 212