Golden Valley Officials Announce Preventive Measures Inlight Of Governor Walz Stay-At-Home Order

Minneapolis MN

26 March, 2020

8:43 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Golden Valley: March 25, 2020 To slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state, on March 25 Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs. This order takes effect at 11:59 pm Friday, March 27 and ends at 5 pm Friday, April 10. The Governor's two-week order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow the state time to make key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include: building hospital capacity increasing access to life-saving equipment like ventilators increasing testing planning for how to care for vulnerable populations assessing public health data to determine which community mitigation strategies are most effective Modeling released March 25 by the Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota predicts that more than 70,000 Minnesotans could die from COVID-19 if no action is taken. Governor Walz said the state will work with its world-renowned health care sector, cutting-edge manufacturers, innovative business community, and strong-spirited residents to tackle the virus head on. Essential Needs Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform the following activities (and while doing so practice social distancing): 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 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 moving 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 Critical Work Sectors Those 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 (CISA) at the US Department of Homeland Security, with some Minnesota-specific additions. This includes, but is not limited to, jobs in: healthcare 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 Extended Closures The Governor also issued executive orders extending the closure of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations set forth in Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-08 until May 1, 2020 at 5 pm and authorizing the Commissioner of Education to implement a Distance Learning Period for Minnesota's students beginning March 30 through May 4, 2020. The Governor's Executive Orders will have the full force and effect of law upon approval by the Executive Council. Follow COVID-19 Updates Minnesota COVID-19 Resources, Hotlines, and FAQs City of Golden Valley Updates This press release was produced by the City of Golden Valley. The views expressed here are the author's own.