Pandemic Restrictions In Minnesota To Ease Dramatically Starting March 15

Minneapolis MN

12 March, 2021

2:25 PM

Description

By Ricardo Lopez, Minnesota Reformer March 12, 2021 Gov. Tim Walz is greatly loosening COVID-19 restrictions, announcing on Friday that life will return closer to normal starting next week. Gov. Tim Walz is greatly loosening COVID-19 restrictions, announcing on Friday that life will return closer to normal starting next week. Minnesota is weeks ahead of its vaccination schedule and COVID-19 cases have fallen drastically, Walz's office said. Minnesota is weeks ahead of its vaccination schedule and COVID-19 cases have fallen drastically, Walz's office said. The announcement comes a day after President Joe Biden instructed all states to open up vaccination to all adults starting May 1, signaling optimism that the pandemic is nearing an end. The World Health Organization first declared the pandemic on March 11, 2020. The announcement comes a day after President Joe Biden instructed all states to open up vaccination to all adults starting May 1, signaling optimism that the pandemic is nearing an end. The World Healt Walz is expected to address Minnesotans at 11 a.m. Starting March 15, social gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors and indoor gatherings of up to 15 people can resume without household limits; religious services will no longer have occupancy limits, but social distancing will still be required. Youth sport pod sizes can increase to 50 for outdoor activities. Starting March 15, social gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors and indoor gatherings of up to 15 people can resume without household limits; religious services will no longer have occupancy limits, but social distancing will still be required. In a boon for business and entertainment venues, bars and restaurants will see occupancy limits rise to 75% with a limit of 250. The limits apply separately to indoor and outdoor seating. Bar seating can now increase to parties of four. In a boon for business and entertainment venues, bars and restaurants will see occupancy limits rise to 75% with a limit of 250. The limits apply separately to indoor and outdoor seating. Bar seating can now increase to parties of four. Salons and barbershops will have no occupancy restrictions, but social distancing will be required. Salons and barbershops will have no occupancy restrictions, but social distancing will be required. Gyms, fitness centers and pools will see occupancy rise to 50% and outdoor fitness classes can grow to 50 people. Gyms, fitness centers and pools will see occupancy rise to 50% and outdoor fitness classes can grow to 50 people. Entertainment venues can have occupancy of 50%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250. Entertainment venues can have occupancy of 50%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250. Starting April 1, venues with normal occupant capacity of greater than 500 people can add additional guests. Starting April 1, venues with normal occupant capacity of greater than 500 people can add additional guests. Seated and unseated outdoor venues will have a limit of 10,000 people; seated indoor venues will have a limit of 3,000 people; unseated indoor venues will have a limit of 1,500 people. Seated and unseated outdoor venues will have a limit of 10,000 people; seated indoor venues will have a limit of 3,000 people; unseated indoor venues will have a limit of 1,500 people. The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can't or won't tell..