What does a “Stay at Home” Order mean?
Governor Walz has signed an executive order to stay at home and shut down all non-essential businesses in Minnesota for at least two weeks. This action discourages people from leaving their homes. This time period will slow the spread and give health care workers the essential time they need to prepare for the peak of this virus in our state. The order is effective Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. to Friday, April 10, 2020.
There are many exceptions in these types of orders. Essential workers, like doctors and police officers and grocery staff, can go to work. Additionally, people can go shopping for food and household items and will be able to pick up their prescriptions.
This is not an exhaustive list, but also includes:
- Health and safety activities
- Outdoor activities
- Necessary supplies and services
- Essential and interstate travel
- Care of others
- Displacement
- Relocation to ensure safety
Essential Services that will continue working during this executive order:
- Health care and public health
- Law enforcement, public safety and first responders
- Child care
- Food and agriculture
- News media
- Energy
- Water and wastewater
- Critical manufacturing
By staying home, we will limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities while we build out the capacity of our health care system. The virus will still be here when this two-week period is over, but we’ll be better prepared.
Together, as One Minnesota, we can save lives.