Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hub

Latest Information:

Last Updated: Monday, July 27, 2020

Explore Minnesota continues to urge a fact-based response to COVID-19 and is following the lead of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, the U.S. Travel Association and other officials on awareness and information dissemination about the situation.

Explore Minnesota is regularly communicating with tourism industry partners on steps they are taking to address COVID-19 within their communities, and we encourage partners to share updates with our team about ongoing developments.

Explore Minnesota's team is here for you. As we navigate this difficult time together, we remain fully committed to providing fact-based information, support, encouragement and solutions for Minnesota's tourism industry now and in the future. Please reach out to us at any time with your comments, concerns and suggestions.

If you would like to reach out to us, please email: questions.exploreminnesota@state.mn.us and we will route your inquiry appropriately.

NEW Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-81, requiring people in Minnesota to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. Additionally, workers are required to wear a face covering when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. (7/22/20)

NEW The Minnesota Retailers Association shared some information recently with the MN Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus for retail partners. See the presentation here.

NEW Face Covering Requirements and Recommendations under Executive Order 20-81

In addition to the Requirements and Recommendations Under Executive Order 20-81 , the state has updated several of the Reopening Guidance documents, including:

The guidance for outdoor recreation, including campgrounds has not been updated.

NEW Letter from Commissioner Steve Grove to businesses of Minnesota regarding the Mask mandate.

NEW Mask Up Minnesota letter of support to distribute

NEW Frequently Asked Questions About the Requirement to Wear Face Coverings

NEW Face coverings will be required at MSP beginning Monday, July 27. Travel Confidently (PDF), detailing changes to keep travelers and employees safe throughout the entire airport experience. More information via Travel Confidently MSP

NEW An aggregate Traveler Sentiment Survey released showing a decline in consumer confidence in the travel sector.

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Minnesota Information:

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
- Newsroom for the Office of Governor Tim Walz
- Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-81, requiring people in Minnesota to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. Additionally, workers are required to wear a face covering when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. (7/22/20)
- Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-78 extending the Peacetime Emergency
- Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-74, announcing Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, which allows a cautious and safe reopening of indoor restaurants, bars, gyms, studios, fitness centers, seated, recreational and meeting areas, personal care services and entertainment venues, beginning on Wednesday, June 10. Details for business are available here. (6/5/20)
- Continuing to Safely Reopen Minnesota’s Economy and Ensure Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency (6/5/20)
- Authorizing use of State Right of Way for Outdoor Dining During the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency (6/2/20)
- Continuing to Safely Reopen Minnesota’s Economy and Ensure Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency (5/27/20)
- Safely Reopening Minnesota’s Economy and Ensuring Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency (5/13/20) (Video)
- Governor Walz extended Minnesota's Stay at Home order through Monday, May 18. (4/30/20) (Video)
- Governor Walz Expands Outdoor Recreation (4/17/20)
Explore Minnesota
- COVID-19 Surveys – Minnesota’s Tourism Industry and Minnesota-oriented Consumers
- How Minnesota Tourism Businesses Are Helping Flatten The Curve
- Explore Minnesota Talking Points for Media (updated May 8, 2020)
- The transcript and audio from May 7th's Industry-wide call, with updates on current Explore Minnesota programs, industry survey findings and efforts designed to aid the industry, are now available for download. (If you encounter problems listening to the audio, please right-click and save before listening)
- The transcript and audio from April 17th's Industry-wide conference call with Kevin McKinnon, Deputy Commissioner from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) as he talks about DEED and Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to help Minnesota's tourism industry, are now available for download. (If you encounter problems listening to the audio, please right-click and save before listening)
- The transcript and audio from April 9th's Industry-wide COVID-19 call is now available for download.
- Social Distance Activities Talking Points
- Explore Minnesota COVID-19 Social Tips
- Explore Minnesota Consumer Website COVID-19 Information
From Minnesota Department of Health
- NEW The Minnesota Department of Health has released information to Protect Yourself & Others While Traveling
- MDH Guidance Library for Businesses and Employers
- Situation Update for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- MDH Coronavirus Updates
- MDH Information for Businesses and Employers
- BeReadyMN – COVID-19
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
University of Minnesota Extension
- Tips for Small Town Stores
- Webinar: Retaining Businesses During the Pandemic

Tourism Industry Information:

U.S. Travel Association (USTA)
- USTA COVID-19 Travel Industry Research
- US Travel Association has shared that State and local governments may use Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) for travel promotion. The U.S. Department of Treasury issued new FAQs for the CRF clarifying that funds may be provided to destination marketing organizations to re-market convention facilities and the tourism industry.
- Tourism Economics week-by-week outlook on travel spending in the U.S. with looks at regional and state-by-state breakdowns.
- Access U.S. Travel's "Assessing Recovery" webinar library
- USTA News and Commentary
- USTA Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of Travelers
- USTA Coronavirus Resources
Destinations International (DI)
- DI Coronavirus Updates
- Recording of Webinar
Brand USA
- Brand USA Coronavirus Updates
- NEW Brand USA has developed a central repository for the most up-to-date U.S. entry information and state-specific reopening information with airline and lodging guidelines. You can view the information here.
Destination Analysts
- Insights on tracking consumer travel sentiments during COVID-19.
Skift
- Coronavirus and the Travel Industry Newsfeed
ADARA
- ADARA Travel Trends Tracker
Longwoods International
- Longwoods International News
Arrivalist
- NEW Daily Travel Index
Matador Network
- Matador COVID-19 Articles

Information for Business:

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
- MN DEED Employers
- MN DEED Employees
- MN DEED Critical Business
- Unemployment Insurance
- INDUSTRY GUIDANCE FOR SAFELY REOPENING: RESTAURANTS & BARS
- Industry guidance for safely reopening campgrounds, charter and launch boats and restaurants and bars (updated 5/20/20)
- MN DEED Commissioner releases "Answers to Commonly Asked Questions" for outdoor dining beginning June 1
- NEW Required by June 29: COVID-19 Preparedness Plans for Critical Sector businesses
Questions from DEED Hospitality Roundtable
- Can plexiglass shields take the place of masks for workers in kitchens because it's hot?
  - Final response forthcoming
- Are arcades attached to restaurants OK to be open?
  - Yes
- Why can't we have four people in a party sitting together at a bar? Guidance says 2, but this doesn't make sense to bars.
  - Those sitting at tables in a bar area can be seated in groups of 4. While seated at the bar (or counter), groups with more than 2 individuals would encourage people leaning in and in front of others in the group which could increase transmission.
- Can we mention dancing in the indoor entertainment guidance? It's in the bars/restaurant guidance, but absent from the indoor entertainment guidance.
  - Dancing related to celebrations: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/foodgather.pdf: *Page 2 "Activities that generally involve close contact between persons, such as dancing, should be modified to safely increase physical distance between persons from different households."
- If someone organizes a birthday party for their kid, which is a social gathering, and that party goes to an arcade, does that party have to only have 10 people since it's a social gathering? Or does it simply have to apply to the limits that exist in the guidance documents for the arcades?
  - They need to follow the requirements for arcades.
  - Follow guidance: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/foodgather.pdf
- There seems to be some confusion around reservations required with the limit being 4 at a table or 6 if family, but you can have social gatherings of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
  - The guidance for that industry is what governs the gathering limit. If the gathering is at a park or home, the limit would fall under social gatherings. If it's at a restaurant, it would fall under restaurant guideline.
- How about club cleaning can we clean members and guests clubs? Should bag storage areas be open?
  - Please see Guidance for Gym, fitness centers: Page 3: Workplace cleaning and disinfection protocols 1. Establish a documented sanitation schedule and checklist, identifying surfaces/equipment to be sanitized, the agent to be used, and the frequency at which sanitation occurs. 2. Routinely clean and disinfect all areas, such as offices, restrooms, locker and changing rooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment, machinery, tools, controls, etc.
- One of my biggest concerns that hasn't been addressed is how we handle reception style service as we cannot control for social distancing when the guests are not seated. Also, if we can have 4 people from different households sit together in a restaurant, does that apply to banquet events as well(as people in a restaurant are choosing to sit together and know one another, but at an event the guests may not necessarily know everyone).
  - Guests at a banquet style meal should be allowed to determine who they are seated with.
  - All guests must be seated, a plan should be created and administered and monitored for receptions.
  - Follow guidance: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/foodgather.pdf.
- Weddings or receptions: Sit down only for food & beverage to prevent congregating at bar or in other reception areas? Is Dancing allowed as long as they follow social distance guidelines?
  - Yes, sit down only for food and beverage, and at weddings/receptions.
  - More information available with new guidance doc: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/foodgather.pdf.
  - Dancing: Activities that generally involve close contact between persons, such as dancing, should be modified to safely increase physical distance between persons from different households.
- Are butler passed hors d'oeuvres's allowed?
  - Yes, this is allowed as long as the employee is wearing a face mask and shield and socially distance themselves from others. The diners must be seated.
- Are there any guidelines/restrictions for banquet bar service?
  - Same guidance as per restaurants/bars guidance
  - Additional info for banquets: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/foodgather.pdf.
  - All guests must be seated at bar or table – occupancy load to be observed.
- Relating to golf tournaments. If all current social distancing protocols are adhered to can shotgun starts now be used and does the above apply to pre and post tournament activities (receptions)?
  - Receptions are allowed as long as they follow the guidance for restaurants & bars.
  - DNR would be comfortable with allowing a shotgun start as groups would be separated across the course. The challenge would be to maintain the 25 person group size before and after the event in the clubhouse/cart rental area, but there may be some way tournament organizers can control that.
- While a very specific aspect of golf, what would be the status of rakes on the golf course? I think between sun and rain and infrequency of handling, that we could put rakes back out.
  - The DNR/MDH Outdoor Rec. Guidelines note that frequently touched items like rakes should be removed "to the extent possible."
- Multiple people on carts or just same family?
  - The Outdoor Rec. Guidelines currently note that shared rentals (in general) should be for same family unless "modifications are made to create a barrier between the users and they do not switch positions."
- Showers and Locker Room Usage is it allowed?
  - Yes, Please see Guidance for Gym, fitness centers: Page 7: Only allow shower and locker room use if there are partitions or else place signage to maintain proper physical distancing of 6 feet. Reinforce distancing in these areas with posted signs. If partitions or proper physical distancing of 6 feet is not possible, these facilities should remain closed. If showers, locker rooms, and lockers are closed, ask customers to use a small gym bags to store personal belongings and provide a secure area monitored by staff.
- Can or should we provide towels? Toiletries?
  - As far as providing towels and toiletries at country clubs, I'm going to extrapolate from a couple of the guidance documents. I would think that some of the same things that are in the gym and fitness center guidance could apply. In that guidance, it indicates that they should limit the "products, or items touched by the customer/client while in the facility." To me this means that they probably shouldn't be providing communal toiletries, such as deodorant and hair spray. In the swimming pool reopening guidance, towels are not prohibited, it just indicates that towels should be laundered following the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. Worker protections for handling the soiled towels, such as gloves, should be worn when handling soiled towels.
Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank
The Ninth Federal Reserve District includes the states of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northwestern Wisconsin.
- COVID-19's Business Vertigo (4/7/2020)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- SBDC Coronavirus Updates
U.S. Federal Government
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Coronavirus Updates>
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- US Chamber Coronavirus Updates
- Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
National Restaurant Association
- National Restaurant Association
- National Restaurant Association CARES Act
Hospitality Minnesota
- Hospitality Minnesota - Coronavirus Updates
Minnesota Retailers Association
- Minnesota Retailers Association website
- Guidelines for reopening retail
- MRA presentation for the MN Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus