Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan are committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have taken decisive action to curb the spread of COVID-19, support health care providers and facilities, and mitigate the impact on Minnesota families. On this page you will find the latest press releases, statements, and other information on COVID-19.
4/28/2020 10:05:16 AM
[Rochester, MN] – Following the Governor’s visit to Mayo Clinic today, Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Kim Norton met to discuss their efforts to keep the Rochester community safe and healthy.
“Mayors are at the ground-level of this pandemic, and I applaud Mayor Norton’s leadership in supporting the Rochester community through this unprecedented crisis,” said Governor Tim Walz. “The decisions made at the local level have a direct impact on peoples’ health and wellbeing, and we will continue to work closely as we navigate the challenges of COVID-19.”
"We appreciate the opportunity to connect directly with Governor Walz regarding the impact COVID-19 has had on our local residents and businesses as well as our city budget," said Mayor Norton. "Despite these challenging times, it has been inspiring to see our local government bodies, community organizations and small business owners come together to create unique partnerships to help one another navigate the effects of this pandemic. Our partners at Olmsted County Public Health and in the local medical community will be key players in the effort to conduct risk assessments and contact tracing to minimize community transmission and get us all on track to embrace the new normal.”
Earlier in the day, Governor Walz walked Vice President Mike Pence through the groundbreaking COVID-19 testing strategy developed in partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota. This model will expand testing for up to 20,000 Minnesotans per day and allow public health officials to isolate confirmed cases.
