Tag: Gov. Walz

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 3, 2020

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April 3, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 2:45 PM on 4/3/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today unveiled a new State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the virus in Minnesota and provides the latest available data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing. The dashboard will be updated daily and is available at https://mn.gov/covid19/.

“During Minnesota’s Stay Home Order, we’ve worked to collect data, increase the availability of necessary equipment, and develop strategies to address economic and social impacts of COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “This dashboard will provide Minnesotans with timely, accurate information about the data that informs our decisions on COVID-19 response, recovery, and resources.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 3, 2020”

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

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April 2, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:30 PM on 4/2/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today announced that Minnesota’s health plans have agreed to waive costs for treatment of COVID-19. This move comes in response to a March 13 letter from the Governor and State Commissioners of Health and Commerce urging Minnesota health plans to remove barriers to coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesotans with commercial insurance—including individuals, small businesses, and some large businesses—are now eligible for the following benefits: Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 1, 2020”

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. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 1, 2020”

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 31, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:30 PM on 3/31/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today signed two Executive Orders, which extend licenses for first responders and allow the medical cannabis program to continue safely serving Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order 20-25 extends licenses for peace officers, firefighters, and private security personnel. The Order allows professionals on the front lines combating COVID-19 to maintain their licenses and continue supporting Minnesotans during the peacetime emergency.

Executive Order 20-26 extends enrollment dates that are set to expire over the next several months for current medical cannabis patients; allows any patient to request a temporary caregiver so they are able to send someone to pick up medication on their behalf; and allows medical cannabis patients to practice social distancing with curbside delivery and telephone pharmacist consultations. This order will help keep immunocompromised individuals safe and lessen the burden on busy healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 31, 2020”

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 30, 2020

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March 30, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 3/30/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today announced Department of Administration Commissioner Alice Roberts-Davis will lead the Administration’s procurement operation for COVID-19, and direct the State’s efforts in procuring critical lifesaving care supplies. Commissioner Roberts-Davis will focus on managing inventories, securing needed supplies such as personal protective equipment and ventilators, and developing solutions to offset supply shortages for hospitals and emergency responders. Her strong background in procurement and public-private partnerships will serve Minnesota well in the weeks and months to come.

Governor Walz also thanked educators who started their first official day of distance learning today and reiterated that the Stay At Home order does not mean anyone should stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1.866.223.1111 or by text at 612.399.9995.

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Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 29, 2020

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March 29, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:20 PM on 3/29/2020.

Updates from the Governor

During challenging times, Minnesotans look out for one another. We’ve compiled a few ideas on how you can contribute to your community right now. Below, you can also find resources to help anyone struggling with health coverage, rent, unemployment, child care or a small business.

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Gov. TIm Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 28, 2020

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March 28, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 12:30 PM on 3/28/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today signed a comprehensive COVID-19 package allocating $330 million in aid for Minnesota’s response, which will help our state care for our most vulnerable in the face of an unprecedented crisis. The legislature passed the bill with broad bipartisan support on March 26.

“The swift, bipartisan passage of this bill is One Minnesota in action,” said Governor Walz. “Legislators put aside politics to fight the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Minnesotans. We’re only in the early stages of Minnesota’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic – but this law will help ensure we have the right supports in place to prepare for what’s to come.”

HF 4531 includes the following actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, among many other policy proposals that will help Minnesotans: Continue reading “Gov. TIm Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 28, 2020”

Gov. Tim Walz COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020

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March 27, 2020Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:30 PM on 3/27/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Minnesota’s two-week Stay at Home order takes effect tonight at 11:59. Below are shareable graphics that help explain what’s open and what’s closed, who is considered an essential worker, and activities that are and aren’t restricted. If you still have questions, head to Governor Walz’s new COVID-19 website for resources and answers to frequently asked questions.

To ensure critical information about COVID-19 is accessible to all Minnesotans, the Walz-Flanagan Administration partnered with TPT to provide closed captioning and translate PSAs into eight different languages (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Russian, Amharic, Karen, and Oromo). You can access those videos here. In the PSAs, the Governor tells Minnesotans to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, describes the efforts the state is taking to protect Minnesotans, and directs them to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Website for more information. Continue reading “Gov. Tim Walz COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 26, 2020

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March 26, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:30 PM on 3/26/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz today joined leaders from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Education, and the State Emergency Operations Center to answer questions from the press on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor shared details on his package of bipartisan COVID-19 proposals, which he worked on with the Legislature to ensure Minnesotans have the support and the right resources to combat the pandemic. The legislation:

  • Creates a Minnesota COVID-19 Emergency Fund to keep our state operating
  • Helps businesses across the state secure private funding
  • Awards grants to licensed family and center-based child care providers who care for the children of health care and other emergency workers
  • Ensures continued funding for food systems
  • And provides needed help to local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit partners protect people experiencing homelessness from exposure to the coronavirus and to mitigate additional spread of the disease.

The Governor also announced efforts coming out of his Children’s Cabinet to drive resources to child care providers, who are critical for our state’s emergency response. Today, six Minnesota Initiative Foundations launched an Emergency Child Care Grant Program to provide financial support to licensed child care providers in Greater Minnesota, serving families needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They join Think Small, who stepped up last week to issue grants to family child care programs in the metro area serving families of emergency workers.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 26, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 25, 2020

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March 25, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 3/25/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced a Stay At Home Executive Order directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs from Friday, March 27 at 11:59pm to Friday, April 10 at 5:00pm. By limiting social interactions, we decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and help ensure our health care sector can prepare for increased demands.

“We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans,” said Governor Walz. “Having served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I know the importance of having a plan. While the virus will still be here when this order ends, this action will slow the spread of COVID-19 and give Minnesota time to ready for battle.”

Modeling released today by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and University of Minnesota predicts that more than 70,000 Minnesotans could die from COVID-19 if we take no action. The Governor’s two-week order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow the state to better prepare for the pandemic. These preparations include building hospital capacity, increasing access to life-saving equipment like ventilators, increasing testing, planning for how to care for vulnerable populations, and assessing public health data to determine which community mitigation strategies are most effective.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: March 25, 2020”