Governor Moves to Phase III - Reopening

The Governor Tim Walz today announced a new executive order that would allow for additional businesses to reopen and further loosening of restrictions for others effective June 10 (Phase III).

The new order allows:

• Restaurants and bars can reopen for indoor service as long as they:
• Have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
• Ensure a minimum of 6 feet of distance between tables
• Limit indoor occupant capacity to no more than 50% up to 250 persons
• Do not exceed 250 persons in outdoor spaces
• Limit table service to 4 persons, or 6 if part of one family unit
• Require reservations
• Require workers to wear masks at all times and strongly encourage customers to wear masks when not eating or drinking

Gyms, studios and fitness centers can reopen as long as they:

• Have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
• Ensure social distancing (6 ft between persons) and limit occupant capacity to no more than 25%; not to exceed 250 persons for indoor and outdoor settings each
• Strongly encourage that masks be worn by workers and users
• Establish regular disinfection routine and train staff
• Ensure ≥6 ft of distancing between equipment; greater distancing should be implemented for treadmills and other aerobic activity that encourages high exertion
• Group exercise classes should only be offered if distancing requirements can be maintained and with no person-to-person physical contact

Seated and recreational entertainment and meeting venues (i.e. theaters, bowling alleys, event venues) can reopen as long as they:

• Have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
• Limit occupant capacity to no more than 25% not to exceed 250 persons
• Ensure social distancing and a minimum of 6 feet between persons
• Strongly encourage masks for workers and customers

Personal care services (such as hair salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors) can reopen to provide services indoor as long as they:

• Have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
• Limit number of clients inside the business at any time to ensure 6 feet of distance between persons except when providing services
• Limit occupant capacity to no more than 50% not to exceed 250 persons
• See clients by appointment only; do not allow walk-ins
• Require workers and clients to wear masks at all times. For services where the client cannot wear a mask, the worker should add a face shield in addition to their mask.

“Low risk” Sports can play games and “high risk sports can practice. More guidance on those definitions will be forthcoming.

• Pools can be open at 50% capacity.
• Outdoor events can have up to 250 individuals.
• All workers who have previously been working from home must continue doing so.

All businesses that have been allowed to reopen under previous Executive Orders, including Critical Sector businesses, non-Critical Sector industrial and office-based businesses, and retail establishments can continue operations as previously allowed. However, Critical Sector businesses must adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29.

Businesses can access tools on our website here.  The state will also put out detailed reopening guidance for each business sector here. See the entire EO order here.