MN Gov. Walz Announces New Coronavirus Restrictions: List

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Tuesday announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus in Minnesota. The new restrictions will apply to celebrations, receptions, bars, and restaurants, which are "the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks," according to Walz's office.

State health officials found that more than 70 percent of COVID-19 outbreaks in Minnesota from June to November have a direct link back to weddings, private social gatherings, and late nights at bars and restaurants.

Additionally, COVID-19 is being disproportionately spread by young people — specifically between the ages of 18 and 35 — according to Walz's office.

"Most young people are taking great precautions to protect themselves and their community," Walz said in a news release. "Most bars and restaurants have done a great job responding to the pandemic and keeping their customers and employees safe. But this virus is spreading like wildfire, and every gathering place is now more dangerous than it was a month ago."

Starting Friday, all Minnesota bars and restaurants must end dine-in service at 10 p.m. and cannot reopen until 4 a.m.

• "Indoor capacity will be capped at 150 people, and may not exceed 50 percent of an establishment’s total capacity."

• "Bar counter service will be closed for seating and service in all establishments besides those that only have counter service."

• "In counter-service only establishments, patrons can line up with masks and then return to their table. These restrictions follow research that shows these environments become more risky later in the evening."

Also starting Friday, there will be a 10-person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings. All social gatherings must be limited to members of three households or less.

• "Capacity limits for receptions related to weddings, funerals, and similar events will be instituted through a phased approach, but will eventually lead to a 25-person cap. In addition, such receptions and similar events may not take place between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m."
• "All current restrictions also remain in effect. Since data has not shown a connection between religious services and the recent increase in outbreaks, there will be no change to religious services."

Tuesday's announcement comes after a week of record-setting highs in new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19. On Tuesday, more than 4,900 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Minnesota, along with 23 new deaths.

Minnesota’s neighboring states have the highest infection rates in the U.S., and Minnesota’s own case positivity rate is above 10 percent. That is double the level at which COVID-19 spread is considered controllable, according to state officials.

"Minnesota is in a dangerous phase of the pandemic with a dramatic jump in new cases," said Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm.

"We’ve seen in other states how bad things can get when you have this kind of growth, and that’s why it’s critical that we take the right actions now to slow the spread of this disease. These focused actions taken by Governor Walz are designed to address some of the hottest of the hot spots we’ve seen and reduce the burden on our health care system and the heroes providing care to all of us."

Help for small businesses

To support small businesses, Walz announced Tuesday $10 million in grants to help an additional 1,000 businesses that have applied for the grant program that began amid the pandemic.