Minnesota stay-at-home order: What you're allowed to do, what's staying open
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a Stay-At-Home executive order that went into effect March 27 at 11:59 p.m. and will last until May 18 after an extension.
So what exactly does that mean? And what activities are we allowed to still do? Here's a breakdown.
WILL I BE ABLE TO LEAVE MY HOME?
Gov. Walz is urging people to stay at home, however, Minnesotans will still be able to do the following activities:
- Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies
- Outdoor activities, such as walking pets, 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 home from outside this state
- Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household
- Displacement, such as moving between emergency or homeless 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 & Lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservations
When leaving the house, people are urged to follow social distancing guidelines.
WHAT IS STILL OPEN?
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, bakeries, take-out and delivery restaurants
- Pharmacies
- Food shelves
- Convenience stores
- Liquor stores
- Child care facilities
- News organizations
- Gas stations
- Funeral homes
- Banks
- Hardware stores
- Post offices
Schools will remain closed, and the distance learning period has been extended through the remainder of the school year. Dine-in bars and restaurants will remain closed until May 18 too. Some businesses are able to do curbside service, click here for more information.
WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THE ORDER?
Some workers who provide important services are also exempt from the executive order. The initial order made the following workers exempt:
- Healthcare and public health
- Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders
- Child care
- Emergency shelters
- Homeless shelters
- Food and agriculture
- News media
- Energy
- Water and wastewater
- Critical manufacturing
More non-critical workers are also being allowed to return to work. However, the latest order notes if employees are able to work from home, they should continue to do so. For a full list of critical workers able to return to work, click here.
More questions? For more information, click here.