Dear Neighbors,
Hospitals are seeing fewer admissions and vaccination progress has pushed forward. Vaccines held COVID-19 variants at bay, avoiding having them overwhelm our state. With rates trending downward, the governor shared the following updated guidancebeginning today:
Step one takes place at noon on May 7. It includes initial steps to relax some restrictions, primarily in outdoor settings.
- Removes limits for outdoor dining, events, and other get-togethers, and ends the mask requirement outdoors except at large venues with over 500 people.
- Eliminates the state-established mandatory closing time for bars, restaurants, and food and beverage service at other places of public accommodation.
The second step begins on May 28. Remaining capacity and distancing limits will come to an end, including for indoor events and gatherings. The requirements that will remain include:
- Face coverings indoors and for outdoor events that exceed 500 people.
- There will be no new safety requirements for businesses, though they must maintain their plans to keep their employees and customers safe – as they have from the beginning of the pandemic – guided only by a minimal universal state guidance document.
The third step takes place once 70 percent of Minnesotans aged 16 years and older – 3,087,404 Minnesotans – get at least one dose of the vaccine, but no later than July 1.
- The remaining face covering requirement and the requirement for preparedness plans will end. Work on vaccines will continue, and local jurisdictions and entities may set their own mask policies.
Conference Committee Update
Our work continues with the Senate on finding compromise on a commerce and energy budget. You may have seen in the news that Senate Majority members have threatened to cut funding for state parks if any clean cars provision is a part of final negotiations. Especially at a time when state park attendance is at an all-time high, this obstructionist positioning is out of touch. Furthermore, Minnesotans expect lawmakers to work together to get the job done. I’ll continue to do my part to find common ground and work on behalf of the people of Coon Rapids and Champlin to balance our two-year state budget.
Nurses Week
#NursesWeek is a time to show our appreciation for nurses. I’m grateful for all the sacrifices they’ve have made to keep us healthy and safe throughout this pandemic. Here’s a throwback photo from 2019 when local nurses from our community came to visit at the Capitol. I’m looking forward to the time when we can all return to meeting in person in St. Paul.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn or 651-296-5513. Don’t hesitate to let me know how I can help.
It’s an honor to represent our Coon Rapids and Champlin residents and families at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Zack Stephenson
State Representative