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.
Each week state community vaccination sites across Minnesota are prioritizing critical frontline workforce sectors; Campaign kicks off today with food service industry workers
4/6/2021 11:45:08 AM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, as a part of the broader statewide ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ campaign, Governor Tim Walz launched an outreach effort focused on connecting workers in critical industries to the resources they need to get vaccinated. In the coming weeks, workers in priority frontline sectors will be vaccinated at community vaccination sites.
The campaign kicks off its first week with workers in the food service industry. To drive food service workers to register in the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector and get vaccinated, the state has partnered with industry leaders, employers, and influential restaurateurs and chefs across Minnesota – including Chef Andrew Zimmern.
“Food service workers have been profoundly impacted by this pandemic. While we’ve expanded vaccine eligibility, we are still focused on immunizing for impact and the priority populations we identified early in this process,” said Governor Walz. “Making vaccines accessible to frontline workers in this industry will help us return to the things we love, including joining our friends and families at our favorite restaurants, bars, and breweries.”
The impacts of COVID-19 have been devastating for restaurants, bars, and other food service employers across Minnesota. They met the challenge by completely re-imagining their operations to keep Minnesotans safe and protect their workforces. The industry has recovered nearly 50,000 of the approximately 100,000 jobs that were lost over the past year.
“Over the past year, restaurants and bars have stepped up and done everything they could to keep their fellow Minnesotans safe,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove. “Now, we must prioritize getting the life-saving vaccine to them as swiftly, effectively, and inclusively as possible.”
"COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, a devastating effect on the restaurant industry," said Andrew Zimmern. "I thank Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan and their incredible team, Commissioner Malcolm, Commissioner Grove and everyone who worked so hard prioritizing food service workers to receive the vaccines which are so vital to our safety. I encourage every food service employee, every Minnesotan, and all Americans to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. The faster everyone is vaccinated, the sooner we can truly recover.”
Governor Walz, DEED Commissioner Grove, Zimmern, and other industry leaders will join a vaccination event to highlight this campaign this week. Details will be announced soon.
As Minnesota waits for additional supply of vaccine, it is critical that Minnesotans work to protect the progress the state has made by doing their part to slow the spread through testing, social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing.
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