Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan
Taking the next steps
After a long, painful year, the sun in brighter than ever and the end of COVID-19 is in sight. Vaccine progress is having an impact, and now 90 percent of school districts are offering some in-person learning, 94 percent of long-term care facilities are open for visitors, and more Minnesotans are back at work as customers return to businesses.
Recognizing the progress we have made on vaccines and controlling the spread of COVID, we can take a cautious step to support personal well-being and the business economy by loosening some restrictions.
This chart outlines Minnesota's updated plan to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives while supporting our small businesses.
Even after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you should continue to take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 as recommended.
Always follow these safety practices
Setting | Guidance Overview | ||||
Social Settings |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Indoor social gatherings are limited to 15 people, outdoor gatherings to 50 people max. Social distancing between households must be maintained. Fully vaccinated people may be able to gather without masks and social distancing in specific settings. For more information, visit About COVID-19 Vaccine. |
||||
Critical Businesses |
Open (must have COVID-19 preparedness plan)
Beginning April 15, the requirement to work from home shifts to a strong recommendation. Employers are also strongly encouraged to implement reasonable accommodations for at-risk employees, or employees with one or more members of their household who have underlying medical conditions and are not yet eligible for vaccination. |
||||
Non-critical Businesses (non-customer facing) |
Open (must have COVID-19 preparedness plan)
Beginning April 15, the requirement to work from home shifts to a strong recommendation. Employers are also strongly encouraged to implement reasonable accommodations for at-risk employees, or employees with one or more members of their household who have underlying medical conditions and are not yet eligible for vaccination. |
||||
Retail |
Open (must have COVID-19 preparedness plan)
|
||||
Restaurants and Bars |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Indoor dining: 75% capacity, 250 people max. Outdoor dining: 75% capacity, 250 people max. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of four; establishments must close for on-site dining between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. All patrons must be seated. Beginning April 1, restaurants and bars with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance. |
||||
Personal services (salons, tattoos, barbershops) |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open at 100% capacity, but 6 feet of distance must be maintained between parties. |
||||
Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, martial arts |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Gym capacity is capped at 50%, maximum capacity remains at 250. Machines and people should maintain 6 feet of distance. Indoor classes are limited to 25 people, assuming distancing can be observed. Outdoor classes are limited to 50 people. Masks required. Beginning April 1, gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, or martial arts spaces with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance. Use the Venue Occupancy Calculator to calculate reduced capacity of your facility/venue after April 1. |
||||
Indoor events and entertainment |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open at 50% capacity, no more than 250 people. On April 1, 2021, venues with occupant capacity greater than 500 may increase patron count as follows:
|
||||
Outdoor events and entertainment |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open at 50% capacity, no more than 250 people. On April 1, 2021, venues with occupant capacity greater than 500 may increase patron count as follows:
No food or beverage service or consumption between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Masks required. |
||||
School Buildings |
All public and private schools will follow the Safe Learning Plan.
|
||||
Child Care |
Open per CDC guidance
|
||||
Youth Programming | |||||
Organized Sports (Adult and Youth) |
Practices and games open with limited spectators according to appropriate venue capacity restrictions. See Guidance for Entertainment Venues.
Tournaments are allowed but discouraged. Out of state play is discouraged. Masks are required for all, at both practices and games. See COVID-19 Sports Practice Guidance for Youth and Adults. |
||||
Outdoor Recreation Activities and Facilities |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open per DNR's Outdoor Recreation Guidelines Up to 50 people may engage in outdoor activities together, with at least 6 feet of separation between households. Guided and instructional activities may now include more than one guide or instructor. |
||||
Places of Worship, religious services, weddings, and funerals |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open at 100% capacity. Masks required. 6 feet of social distance must be maintained between households. No food or drink except when essential to perform a ritual or service (e.g., Communion), and singing is permitted as long as congregants remain masked. |
||||
Reception spaces for celebrations or private parties |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
These events are now only subject to the entertainment venue capacity limits for the setting where they are held. See entertainment guidance for details. Table size is limited to 6 and guests must be seated while eating and drinking. These events may not occur between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Beginning April 1, reception spaces for celebrations or private parties with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance for the venue. See Guidance for Entertainment and Meeting Venues. |
||||
Campgrounds and charter boats |
Open with guidance.
Three households may gather outdoors, 15 people max. |
||||
Pools and swim parks |
Beginning March 15, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Open at 50% capacity, max 250 people, and 6 feet of social distancing is required. See COVID-19 Public Pools under Executive Order 20-104. Beginning April 1, pools and swim parks with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance for the venue, as seen in the indoor and outdoor venue guidance.. Use the Venue Occupancy Calculator to calculate reduced capacity of your facility/venue after April 1. |
||||