MN Government Updates 04.07.2021

Walz Press Availability

Following an event today to highlight state efforts to connect food service works with COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Tim Walz took questions from reporters.

When asked if the state will begin to provide a timeline for business re-openings, similar to what California is doing with a June 15 re-opening date, the governor responded that over the next three weeks, the state will have some clarity on the trajectory of the pandemic and how it will end, which will allow the state to make plans for business re-openings.

When asked if he would consider “dialing back” to restrict economic activity given rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the governor responded, “It is my belief looking at the numbers, if we continue to be disciplined around masking, distancing, hand washing, testing, and vaccinations, we shouldn’t get to that point where we have to do that. The concern is running out of hospital beds. We were at about 1,850 hospital beds in COVID usage the second week of December. We passed about 500 today. There’s still some capacity. I want to be clear. I don’t want to see 1,300 more people end up in the hospital because of the long-term effects. The reality is we know far more about this now and have far more robust testing, we have far more vaccine in arms. I don’t think at this time that is where we’re looking. If we spike out if hospitals get over-run, we can’t allow that to happen. We’ll take appropriate steps necessary, but what is changing the equation is vaccines.”

Walz Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Event at U.S. Bank Stadium, Replacing TCO Performance Center Event

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced the State of Minnesota is hosting a temporary community vaccination event at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to replace the TCO Performance Center (TCO) event, after the TCO venue suffered weather-related damage.

Appointments on Wednesday, April 7 at TCO Performance Center were postponed and impacted patients will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointments as soon as possible. Appointments after Wednesday originally scheduled at TCO Performance Center remain scheduled and will now be administered at the State of Minnesota’s largest public venue, U.S. Bank Stadium. The Stadium is owned by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, a public body and political subdivision of the State.

“Minnesotans know you can’t control the weather, and when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” said Governor Walz. “During the proverbial weather delay, we huddled up with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and the Minnesota Vikings, and called a new play that’s sure to find the end zone. We’re proud to continue our partnership and kickoff vaccinations at U.S. Bank Stadium.”

Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which will notify users about vaccine opportunities near them. Users currently eligible for the vaccine may be randomly selected for an appointment at a Community Vaccination Program location. Minnesotans may be contacted directly if they can make an appointment.

“We are grateful for the partnership with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority as we work to vaccinate more Minnesotans. The teamwork and dedication of all our partners to the vaccination effort are critical to our all-above approach to reaching Minnesotans with the vaccine,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “The state is moving fast toward ensuring every Minnesotan has the opportunity to access the vaccine, no matter where they live. U.S. Bank Stadium is another prime example of the unified front toward the end of the pandemic.”

The temporary U.S. Bank Stadium event joins eight permanent Community Vaccination sites in Minnesota, joining Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, Saint Paul, St. Cloud, Mankato, Oakdale and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

“As the State of Minnesota’s largest public venue, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is pleased to support the state on this important initiative. Our U.S. Bank Stadium partners, including ASM Global and Aramark, have worked with the Minnesota Department of Health in record time to establish U.S. Bank Stadium as vaccination site in this time of need,” said Michael Vekich, Chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “We are honored with this partnership to greater serve Minnesotans.”

As Minnesota waits for additional supply of vaccine, it is critical that Minnesotans work to protect the progress the state has made by doing their part to slow the spread through testing, social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing.

How Minnesotans Can Get Their Shot:

How Minnesotans Can Get a COVID-19 Test at No Cost:

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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