May 1, 2020
Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:45 PM on 5/1/2020.
Updates from the Governor
Access to COVID-19 testing is critical to moving Minnesota forward during this pandemic. Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm today shared that caregivers in Minnesota conducted 4,124 COVID-19 tests yesterday – a daily record for our state.
Also today, Governor Walz signed an executive order permitting food trucks to operate at up to six highway rest stops in Minnesota. As many restaurants across the United States have closed, restrictions pertaining to commercial activities at highway rest areas have restricted fresh food options for truck drivers operating in Minnesota. This action will provide an additional option for truck drivers, who play a critical role in supporting the supply chain and depend on eating their meals on the road.
In case you missed it, retail stores can begin curbside pick-up beginning Monday. Minnesota has led the nation in our response to COVID-19. If we continue to take careful steps to keep each other safe, we can slowly turn the dials and get Minnesotans back to work.
Want more frequent updates? You can follow Governor Walz on Twitter and Facebook.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- 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.
- Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.
Resources
- CDC Situation Updates
- mn.gov/covid19/
- Apply for Unemployment Insurance
- Minnesota Department of Health Updates
- About COVID-19
Coverage
- Governor Walz signs executive order allowing food trucks to operate at highway rest stops in Minnesota
- Walz encourages Minnesotans to wear masks outside of home; experts weigh in on cloth masks
- Coronavirus In Minnesota: HealthPartners On Track To Process 2,000 COVID-19 Tests A Day
- With over 4,500 COVID-19 tests in 24-hour period, Minnesota getting closer to Gov. Walz’s goal of 5,000 tests a day
- How serological COVID-19 tests work — and what their results mean