May 6 - Time-table to Minnesota Normal

Twins fans will be able to shed their masks and Minnesotans will be happy to return to normal with the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions by July 1. Gov. Tim Walz addressed Minnesotans with a live video announcement and then held an in-person media availability to answer questions about the time table to lift all restrictions. Gov. Walz was joined by several of his commissioners to answer questions from the media during the news conference.

The time-table from the governor’s office has three dates to lift the restriction:

May7

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.

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.

July 1

Once 70 percent of Minnesotans age 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.

Gov. Tim Walz addresses Minnesotans with a live video announcement on the time-table to lift the COVID-19 restrictions.

Gov. Tim Walz repeats the time-table for lifting the COVID-19 restriction during an in-person media availability to answer question.

Gov. Tim Walz calls on a reporter for a question about lifting the COVID-19 restriction.

Gov. Walz and his commissioners listen to a question about lifting the COVID-19 restrictions.

Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm answers a reporters question about mask wearing at large venues as Gov. Walz linens.

Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove answers a question about the number of attendees at indoor and outdoor weddings.

Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller answers a question about students returning to school as Gov. Walz and other department commissioners listen.

Gov. Tim Walz answers a political question about the affect the lifting of restrictions will have on reaching agreements to end the session by May 17. Gov. Walz suggested it may be nice to get the legislative leaders together for a picnic and talk face to face.

Gov. Tim Walz, second from right, gestures to Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove, second from left, as the group leaves a news conference after announcing the timeline for ending COVID-19 restrictions. Also leaving the news conference with Gov. Walz are Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller, left and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.