Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 1, 2020

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April 1, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 4/1/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced that he will give his annual State of the State address on Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. from the Governor’s Residence. Though he originally planned to deliver the State of the State on March 23, the COVID-19 outbreak required that it be postponed to a later date. You can tune in on local news or his Facebook page.

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Child Care Grants Available

Governor Walz today announced that the application process for emergency grants for child care providers is open. This funding was proposed by the Governor and Lt. Governor in partnership with the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet.

“Child care providers are providing an essential emergency response to our communities,” said Governor Tim Walz. “These grants will be critical in ensuring that child care continues to be available to first responders, health care workers, and so many other folks responding to the COVID-19 emergency.”

There are approximately 420,000 children under the age of 12 who live in a household of an essential worker within a critical sector. Of these, the state estimates that during this peacetime emergency, about 270,000 children will need care and approximately 120,000 are likely to need and use licensed child care settings. Visit this webpage to learn more about grant availability.

Governor’s Fishing Opener Postponed

Another change required by COVID-19 was the postponement of the 2020 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener to May 6-9, 2021. The Governor is grateful to the Otter Tail County community leaders for their diligent planning efforts around this time-honored Minnesota tradition, and still hopes to kick-off the 2020 summer angling season from a safe distance on one of our state’s 11,842 lakes.

Despite the event postponement, the 2020 fishing season will still open on May 9 and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to manage the state’s fisheries and other natural resources.

Census Day

Finally, the Governor wishes Minnesotans a Happy National Census Day. By now, Minnesotans should have received a postcard with instructions to fill out the Census. The Governor has encouraged Minnesotans to take five minutes today to complete the Census by phone, online, or by mail.

The Census is not only about funding for our communities, it’s also about fair representation at the federal, state, and local levels. It helps plan roads, schools, hospitals, senior centers, and emergency services to best serve our communities. Even a single missed person in the census could mean a forfeited $28,000 in funding over the course of ten years. Visit my2020census.gov to complete it!


PSA

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 or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, 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.

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