Minnesota Joins Midwest Pact To Reopen Regional Economy

MINNESOTA — On Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined six other governors in a pact that will work together to reopen the economy in the Midwest region. The partnership includes Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Mike DeWine (OH), Tony Evers (WI), JB Pritzker (IL), Eric Holcomb (IN), and Andy Beshear (KY).

"We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region," the governors said in a statement.

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"Here in the Midwest, we are bound by our commitment to our people and the community. We recognize that our economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work and businesses can get back on their feet."

The governors did not release a timetable for the reopening of business in the region. They did say they will closely examine "at least" the following four factors when determining when best to reopen the economy:

• Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations
• Enhanced ability to test and trace
• Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence
• Best practices for social distancing in the workplace

"We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protect families from the spread of COVID-19," the group continued.

"Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens. We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education."

Not included in the pact are three of Minnesota's neighbors; Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Current "stay home" orders across the Midwest pact:

• Indiana's order ends April 20
• Both the Michigan and Illinois orders end April 30
• Ohio's order ends May 1
• Minnesota's current "stay home" order expires May 4.
• Wisconsin's order ends May 26

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