ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a slow-paced, high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendly ASL version instead.

English version

Governor Walz issued a “Stay at Home” order for the next two weeks, beginning Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 PM through Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5 PM. All persons currently living within the state of Minnesota are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence. People will still be able to leave if they have important reasons. Here is a list of those reasons.

Minnesotans may leave their homes or residences to engage in the following activities, provided that all persons follow the guidelines set forth and maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health (“MDH Guidelines”), including but not limited to social distancing, to the maximum extent possible. This list of Activities may be clarified, as deemed necessary by the Governor, to ensure the health, safety, and security of all Minnesotans. Clarifications will be available for public review at MDH’s website. 

1. If your home is unsafe such as domestic violence or unsanitary conditions

2. If you need to get emergency or medical services, supplies, or medication, including visiting a dentist or vet. You can also donate blood.

3. You can enjoy outdoor activities (walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting fishing, and you can go to available public parks and rec. Stay at least six feet away. 

4. You can buy necessary supplies and services (food, including delivery or carry-out services, beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, grocery items, gasoline, supplies you need for working at home, cleaning products, and vehicle maintenance.  

5. You can go to the laundromat and dry cleaners

6. You may travel in and out of state for your exempted activities (like the ones already mentioned) 

7. You may go and take care of others such as a family member, friend, and pet in another home and drive them to their exempted activities (like the ones already mentioned). This includes parenting time schedules and visitations. 

8. If you do not have a home, you may move between emergency shelters, drop-in centers, and encampments. 

9. If you are a tribal member and on tribal lands, you are exempt from the Executive Order. Your tribal authorities may have restrictions.

10. All workers who can work from home must do so. 

11. But workers in critical services can work at their place of work, if they cannot telework.  Workers in critical services include healthcare and public health, including reproductive health care, childbirth services, mental health care, substance use treatment; 

• manufacturers, technicians, logistics and warehouse operators, and distributors of personal care, hygiene and healthcare products
• home care and human services workers (government and nonprofit)
• home-based care for adults, seniors and children (example: personal care attendants)
• law enforcement, public safety, and first responders
• food and agriculture
• energy workers
• water and wastewater workers
• transportation and logistics
• public works
• communications and information technology
• community-based government operations and functions
• housing, shelter, and homelessness-prevention
• workers performing governmental functions that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, financial system, and priority services

and several more, all as outlined in the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure document (CISA Guidance). This is a federal document that help Minnesota and other states determine and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19

The Governor also extended the closure of schools until May 4 and bars and restaurants until May 1.

Credits

The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thanks:

Nic Zapko for ASL talent.

Maria Dively for voiceover.

Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production.