Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an amended executive order extending the stay at home on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. The Emergency Executive Order 20-56: Safely Reopening Minnesota’s Economy and Ensuring Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency order will begin on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm and remain in effect through Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The Order indicates that the safe reopening of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation will begin on June 1, 2020. In addition to that, the order allows more Non-Critical Businesses to open. Just like the previous executive orders, any workers (in both critical sector and non-critical sector businesses) who are able to work from home must continue to do so.
All non-critical sector businesses who reopen must establish and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (“Plan”). Each Plan must provide for the business’s implementation of Minnesota OSHA Standards and MDH and CDC Guidelines in their workplaces. The regulations for working from home are still in place and still encouraged when applicable. Businesses must ensure that sick workers stay home. All Plans must establish policies and procedures, including health screenings, that prevent sick workers from entering the workplace.
New in this executive order is that customer facing businesses (those that have in-person customer interactions) may reopen, provided occupancy does not exceed 50 percent of normal occupant capacity. The Order also allows household services businesses, such as maid services to reopen. Customer facing businesses and household service businesses who choose to reopen must include specific provisions in their Preparedness Plans, including requiring a physical distance of six feet apart, cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation protocols. Additionally, all employers who reopen must post instructions on proper social distancing and hygiene measures to easily be seen by customers.
Most regulations for critical sector businesses have not changed. Businesses whose workers qualified as a Critical Sector business are able to continue to operate in the same manner. Certain types of Critical Sector businesses may have additional OSHA and/or CDC guidelines or requirements.
You may find the Governor’s amended order here. Virtus Law, PLLC continues to monitor developments in this (and other COVID-19 areas) and will continue to post relevant updates to this website.