Minnesota Coronavirus Stay At Home Order: What You Should Know

MINNESOTA — Minnesota's statewide "stay at home" order goes into effect Friday at 11:59 p.m. The measure, enforced through an executive order signed by Gov. Tim Walz, aims to slow the spread of the new coronavirus across the state.

The measure directs Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs. It will last until 5 p.m. on April 10.

The order doesn't mean you can't leave your home for things like groceries or going for a walk to get fresh air. It does mean, however, that residents must continue social distancing. You should only leave home if it's absolutely necessary.

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Here's what will be open during the "stay at home" order:

• Hospitals
• Post offices
• Hardware stores
• Banks
• Funeral homes
• Gas stations
• News organizations
• Child care facilities
• Liquor stores
• Convenience stores
• Food shelves
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores
• Farmers markets
• Food Banks
• Bakeries
• Take-out and delivery restaurants
• State legislature
• Clinics
• Hospitals

Here's what will be closed during the two-week period. Note that this is not a complete list of closures:

• Dine-in restaurants
• Salons and barder shops
• Tattoo parlors
• Country clubs
• Concert halls
• Movie theaters
• Bowling alleys
• Playgrounds
• Arcades
• Museums
• Zoos
• Gyms and fitness studios
• Entertainment venues
• Bars and nightclubs

Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, and should practice social distancing while doing so:

• Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies.
• Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting or fishing.
• Necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline or carry-out food.
• Essential and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside this state.
• Care of others, such as for a family member, friend or pet in another household.
• Displacement, such as moving between emergency 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 and lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation.

Workers who work in critical sectors during this time are exempt from the stay-at-home order.

These exemptions are based on federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with some Minnesota-specific additions.

This includes, but is not limited to, jobs in:

• Health care and public health
• Law enforcement, public safety and first responders
• Emergency shelters, congregate living facilities, drop-in centers
• Child care
• Food and agriculture
• News media
• Energy
• Water and wastewater
• Critical manufacturing

"We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans," Walz said. "Having served as a command sergeant major in the Army National Guard, I know the importance of having a plan. While the virus will still be here when this order ends, this action will slow the spread of COVID-19 and give Minnesota time to ready for battle."

The number of confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 is up to four in Minnesota. A total of 398 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state. Of those, 180 no longer need to be isolated.

• Total approximate number of completed tests: 14,003
  • Approximate number of completed tests from the MDH Public Health Lab: 6,929
  • Approximate number of completed tests from external laboratories: 7,074
• Total cases requiring hospitalization: 51
• Hospitalized as of Friday: 34

Also read:

• Some Minneapolis Roads Will Become Walkways
• 2 More Die From Coronavirus In Minnesota; Nearly 400 Cases
• Aggressive Drivers Exploit Empty Minnesota Roads
• Minnesota House Passes $330 Million For Coronavirus Response
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar's Husband Now Recovering At Home