MN Gov. Signs $200 Million Coronavirus Emergency Response Package

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Tuesday signed Ch. 70 S.F. 4334 into law, allocating $200 million toward an emergency and long-term grant program to respond to the needs of health care and long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our health care facilities are Minnesota’s first line of defense against COVID-19," Walz said in a statement. "I am proud of this urgent, bipartisan action to support our state’s health care infrastructure during this unprecedented public health event."

"Protecting the health and safety of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic means investing in our state’s health care infrastructure," said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. "Our goal must be to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, so that every patient gets the care that they need when they need it."

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The bill appropriates $50 million to the state’s public health response contingency account and $150 million to create a health care response fund which would be used to distribute grants. Any funds still in the account on Feb. 1, 2021 will be returned to the "General Fund," according to a news release.

The Minnesota Department of Health earlier Tuesday announced that the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota has risen to 60, including cases of community transmission with no known travel link.

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