MN Government Updates 03.27

Walz Daily Press Briefing

The governor was asked today during the press briefing about the level of restriction on construction in his order in relation to expected tightening referenced today by Governor Cuomo in NY. Governor Walz responded that NY is more dense and that current modeling allows construction to continue here. He gave a compliment to the building trades for strong adherence to the CDC and MDH guidelines.

This afternoon, Governor Walz and administration officials held a conference call with reporters to update the public on state efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Walz

The governor announced two new deaths due to COVID-19 – bringing the state total to four. The deaths were in long-term care facilities.
Additionally, he announced that there are 398 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Governor Walz praised the legislature for the COVID-19 response package passed yesterday with overwhelming bipartisan support and says he’ll be signing the bill soon.
When asked about his executive order’s impact on golf courses, the governor responded that he wants Minnesotans to engage in healthy activity and has asked his team to look into ways to allow golf courses to be open in a manner consistent with his executive order and guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health.
The governor was also asked if he’s feeling healthy – given his self-quarantine after learning a member of his security detail contracted COVID-19. He responded he’s feeling fine and is not showing any symptoms.

Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Health

The commissioner noted that there are 398 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Yesterday, it was 346. That’s 52 more since yesterday’s report.
She also announced that there are four confirmed deaths due to COVID-19. These individuals were in there 80s.
So far, 44 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized.
- 34 are currently hospitalized.
- 14 of those currently are in the ICU.
Commissioner Malcolm said the department is seeing cases of COVID-19 in congregate living settings.
- Three of the deaths were individuals living in this setting (long-term care facilities).
- 17 congregate living settings have at least one case of COVID-19.
- The biggest challenge for these facilities is the lack of personal protective equipment for staff.

Director Joe Kelly, Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division

Director Kelly said that his agency is working to identify alternate care sites. His team has visited two potential locations and he expects to learn more information on those sites shortly.
He had two requests of Minnesotans:

Do not call911. Call the state information hotline:

Volunteer, give blood, or donate to a charity.

Commissioner Steve Grove, Department of Employment and Economic Development

Commissioner Grove encouraged business professionals to go tmn.gov/deed/criticalto get more information on businesses and employees that are deemed critical.
He announced that 204,158 Minnesotans have applied for unemployment insurance since March 16. The commissioner anticipates that number will be 220,000 by the end of the day today.

This is more unemployment insurance applications than in all of 2019 combined.

The commissioner encouraged Minnesotans to use the Unemployment Insurancewebsiteand not call department.

Commissioner Grove announced that the small business emergency loan program will be open early next week and that a small business loan guarantee program will be ready late next week.

Walz Signs Four Executive Orders

Today, Governor Tim Walz signed four executive orders providing support and greater flexibility for health care providers, commercial drivers, local governments, and constitutional officers in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order 20-23 will keep health care workers in the workforce by giving health-related licensing boards flexibility in licensing requirements so COVID-19 related lapses in continuing education requirements don’t impact health care professionals’ ability to provide licensed care. The Executive Order allows health care professionals to temporarily defer continuing education requirements, allows emergency medical service providers to complete continuing education through distance learning, and extends temporary permits for nurses. While continuing background check requirements, it defers fingerprinting requirements until the end of the COVID-19 peacetime emergencyand allows the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy to put limits on dispensing Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine to prevent shortages.

Executive Order 20-22 allows the State Auditor to work with local governments to adjust reporting deadlines for various financial reports, to prevent municipalities from having to divert resources thatshould be used to respond to communities’ critical needs during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.

Executive Order 20-21amendsExecutive Order 20-07 to allow constitutional officers to implement leave for both classified and unclassified employees and to reassign and redeploy staff as needed.

Executive Order 20-24 provides hours of service and weight restriction relief for commercial vehicle drivers hauling livestock. The Order will help ensure producers and retailers maintain supply of essential products.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P.
100 Washington Avenue S | Suite 2200 | Minneapolis MN 55401