Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 9, 2020

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June 9, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz issued a proclamation asking Minnesotans to spend 8 minutes and 46 seconds in silence to honor George Floyd beginning at 11:00am this morning to mark the start of his funeral service. The Walz-Flanagan Administration is committed to addressing the systemic inequities and discrimination that led to his death. Yesterday, the Hennepin County Court approved the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s proposed immediate structural changes to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), including:

  • Chokeholds are banned;
  • Police officers have a duty to report and intervene if another officer utilizes an unauthorized use of force;
  • The use of crowd control weapons during protests and demonstrations may only be approved by the Police Chief;
  • Timely and transparent discipline decisions for police officers must be made; and
  • Body camera footage may be audited by the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department.

The court order also requires the MPD to fully comply with the ongoing civil rights investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

COVID-19 Testing

As we continue to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, testing is important to help quickly detect and minimize the spread of any infections associated with recent public gatherings. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends that those who participated in protests, vigils, or other neighborhood events five or more days ago to get tested, even if they don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.

People who want to get tested should contact their health care provider or find a testing site on Minnesota’s testing website. We have advised providers and clinics across the state to test all people who have attended these large gatherings, even if they do not have symptoms.

Stay Safe MN

Finally, Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues begins tomorrow, June 10. Customers and employees will be either strongly recommended or required to wear masks and will be required to adhere to appropriate social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

You can learn more on the Stay Safe MN website.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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