Credit: Governor Tim Walz, Facebook
Gov. Tim Walz has announced his most comprehensive loosening of COVID-19 restrictions to date, which will allow for larger gatherings, restaurant capacity and up to 10,000 people at sporting events, including Minnesota twins.
Unless an individual point is indicated, all changes will take effect at 12 noon on Monday, March 15th. The changes:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor meetings, both without domestic limits.
- Youth sports: Pod size increases to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Religious services: Remove the employment limit, but social distancing is needed.
- Celebrations: Follow the directions on the site.
- Bars and restaurants: Increase in employment allowed to 75%, from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately inside and out. Seats at the bar increase to parties of 4 people.
- Salons / barbershops: Elimination of the employment limit, but social distancing is needed.
- Gyms / gyms / swimming pools: increase in occupancy allowed to 50%, from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase up to 50 people.
- Entertainment spaces: Increase in permitted employment to 50%, from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.
- Sitting outdoors locals can add an additional 25% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Exterior not seated locals can add an additional 15% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Sitting interior spaces they can add an additional 15% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Unseated interior spaces they can add an additional 10% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
Walz also announced that it will no longer be necessary to work from home when possible, starting April 15, although it is still recommended.
“All employers should continue to accommodate employees who wish to work from home,” the statement said.
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“This change in marking is possible thanks to all the work that many Minnesota people have done,” Department of Health commissioner Jan Malcolm said in a statement.
“At the same time, it is important not to let go of the guard until we have finished the work. COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and we are seeing new variants more often. We need to follow preventative measures like masking, social distancing, staying home when you are sick and getting tested when appropriate. These basic tools, along with safe and effective vaccines, will help us end this pandemic and get to the brightest days ahead. “
The reduction in restrictions comes as Minnesota and the rest of the United States are advancing rapidly on the vaccine front. President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the country’s goal is to make sure all adults are eligible for the vaccine before May 1st.
In Minnesota, more than 642,000 people have completed the two-dose vaccine series, while more than 1.1 million in Minnesota have received at least one dose.
This is a developing story.