What's open and closed under Minnesota's 4-week pause?
A business posted a sign saying it was temporarily closed amid the pandemic. (FOX 9)
(FOX 9) - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's four-week pause in response to surging COVID-19 cases statewide will impact many facets of daily life in Minnesota. The shutdown goes into effect Friday, Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. and runs through Dec. 18. Here's a look at what businesses and activities will be impacted by the order.
WHAT BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED?
- Restaurants, food courts, bars, cafes, breweries, wineries, taprooms - Takeout, delivery and drive-thru services can remain open
- Tobacco product shops, hookah bars, cigar bars - This is in regards to on-site tobacco use
- Public pools
- Gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor and outdoor exercise facilities, indoor climbing facilities, martial arts facilities, dance and exercise studio - This includes shared or communal facilities, such as those located in an apartment complex
- Indoor venues for theaters, cinemas, concert halls, museums, performance venues, fairs, vendor fairs, festivals, arcades, bowling alleys, stadiums - Facilities can be used for virtual programming, professional sports and college athletics are not impacted by the order
- Outdoor venues for racing, paintball, go-karts, mini-golf, performances, festivals, fairs, vendor fairs and amusement parks - Drive-in or drive-thru experiences are permitted
WHAT'S STAYING OPEN?
- Barbershops, salons, other establishments providing personal care - Occupancy must not exceed 50 percent capacity
- Child care
- Youth programs - Youth sports, however, are impacted by the order
- Higher education institutions
- Household services businesses
- Retail
- Liquor stores
- Grocery stores, convenience stores
- Pharmacies, drug stores
- Food pantries
- Health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities
- Correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities
- Crisis shelters
- Soup kitchens
- Restaurants and food zones inside secured zones of airports
WHAT GATHERINGS ARE ALLOWED?
- Gatherings involving members of one household
- Activity by workers or customers
- Educational and care services for children
- Care of others
- Relocation to ensure safety
- Health and safety activities - Example: donating blood or delivering medical supplies
- Sobriety and mental health support groups - Remote meetings are encouraged whenever possible
- Health care and residential facilities
- Displacement - Those without a home are exempt from the order, but are encouraged to avoid gatherings
- Moving to a new residence
- Legislative or government meetings
- Court activities
- Federal activities
- Drive-in gatherings
- Weddings, funerals and services - While the ceremonies can continue, virtual alternatives are encouraged. However, receptions or private parties are prohibited.
ALLOWED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
- Gatherings and activities involving a single household
- Minnesota state parks, trails, state forests, state recreation areas
- Local parks, trails, arboretums and gardens
- Public water accesses
- Public and private marinas and docks
- Lake service providers
- Charter boats and launches - Sites must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
- Public and private golf courses and driving ranges
- Ski areas, Nordic trails, snow tubing hills, sledding hills and outdoor skating rinks
- Outdoor shooting ranges and game farms
- Outdoor recreational equipment rental outlets - Equipment must be sanitized between use and must have clear check-out procedures
- Dispersed and remote camping sites
- Public and private campgrounds - Sites must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
- Guided and instructional activities, such as guided fishing or birding - Must involve persons from the same household, social distancing applies
PROHIBITED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
- Gatherings and activities involving multiple households
- Performances
- Competitions
- Organized sports - Youth and adult sports are both impacted. This does not include professional sports or college athletics.
- Races
- Rallies
- Organized group classes
- Fairs
- Spectator events