Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a series of new restrictions on Wednesday, responding to the escalating spread of COVID-19. Effective midnight on Friday, indoor service at bars and restaurants will be prohibited, as part of the comprehensive measures aimed at curbing the virus’s transmission.
Key restrictions include the following:
- Indoor Service Prohibition: Starting Friday, bars and restaurants will no longer be permitted to offer indoor service.
- Social Gathering Restrictions: Social gatherings outside of the household are prohibited, encompassing both indoor and outdoor gatherings, planned or spontaneous, public or private.
- Closure of Health Clubs: Health clubs will be closed to the public to mitigate potential exposure.
- Youth Sports Suspension: Organized youth sports activities, including practices, group workouts, games, and tournaments, must cease.
- Closure of Entertainment Venues: Entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, will be closed to the public.
- Hold on Wedding Receptions and Life Celebrations: Celebrations, receptions, and private parties connected to weddings, funerals, life milestones, and other similar occasions are on hold.
- Out-of-State Travel Discouraged: Discouragement of out-of-state travel is emphasized as part of the effort to limit the virus’s spread.
The new executive order, set to last until Dec. 18, reflects the gravity of the current situation. The prohibitions on social gatherings are inclusive of various settings and are applicable to groups not residing in the same household. Organizers of prohibited gatherings may face enforcement action by local and state authorities.
Certain places of public accommodation, including restaurants, food courts, cafes, bars, and others offering on-premises consumption, will be closed to the public. However, these establishments are encouraged to provide services through delivery, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service, with limited public access for order pick-ups.
Additionally, organized youth sports activities, defined as sports involving children or adolescents organized by entities providing regular oversight, must halt in-person activities.
The comprehensive measures are implemented to safeguard public health and are accompanied by specific guidelines for different establishments. The restrictions acknowledge the challenging circumstances faced by businesses and individuals but are deemed necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Wayzata community.
