What does Walz's new order say?
The governor is extending the stay-at-home order to May 17 at 11:59 p.m., his second extension since he first asked Minnesotans to stay home except for essential needs starting on March 27. The latest version of the order was to expire May 4.
What are essential needs and services?
People can leave their homes for things like groceries, gas, emergency medical services or supplies, to care for family members, friends or pets. The homeless are allowed to move between emergency shelters. Workers in "critical sectors" are exempt from the stay-at-home order, including those in health care, emergency services, law enforcement, shelters, child care facilities, food production, utilities, the news media and critical manufacturing. Other businesses are asked to telework or otherwise work from home.
Did Walz relax any rules in his updated order?
Yes, he opened curbside options for retail and other businesses "that sell, rent, maintain and repair goods." Those can resume "without entering the place of business, with limited interaction between employees and customers." That means businesses that deal in things such as household goods, rental, maintenance or repair services and pet grooming can operate as long as they provide services without anyone going inside the facility. The new order also allows salons and barbershops to sell retail products for curbside pickup, but they cannot yet provide direct services.
What else will stay open?
Since the beginning, Walz has asked places such as hardware stores, post offices, convenience stores, funeral homes, pharmacies, banks and food shelves to stay open.
