Gov Walz declares state of peacetime emergency to prepare for COVID-19

On Friday, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-01 declaring a peacetime emergency in Minnesota and unveiled legislative proposals to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions came in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health announcing new community mitigation strategies to limit the spread of the virus.

Walz says the safety and well-being of Minnesotans is his top priority and “we are working around the clock to combat the spread of COVID-19.” The World Health Organization recently declared COVID-19 a pandemic and over the past week, and there has been an increased number of cases in Minnesota–14 confirmed so far.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm today issued a number of community mitigation strategies, which Governor Walz advises and urges Minnesotans to follow, including canceling or postponing large events in excess of 250 people gathered together, ensuring space for social distancing of six feet per person at smaller events and gatherings and limiting gatherings with participants at high risk for severe disease to less than 10 people.

Further details on MDH’s recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.