By Norma Dittman
Fulda Free Press staff writer
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Phase III of Re-opening Minnesota on Friday, stating that it will begin on Wednesday, June 10th.
He said that Phase III will allow for limited re-opening of dine-in restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues. As part of the re-opening of these businesses, the business is required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by the end of June.
Restaurants will now be able to offer indoor dining, being sure to observe a 50 percent occupancy rate, reservations required, and social distancing must be observed.
Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 or less, and outdoor gatherings can have 25 people or less.
Indoor entertainment, including theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
Outdoor entertainment venues are able to open, but must observe 25 percent capacity. This includes sporting events, concerts and theaters.
Bowling alleys, arcades and museums can also open at 25 percent capacity, as well as gyms, personal fitness, yoga studios, and martial arts businesses.
Able to increase to 50 percent occupancy rates are personal services such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops.
Places of worship can increase their occupancy rate to 50 percent.
“This safe, steady reopening cannot happen without the commitment and vigilance of all Minnesotans to protect themselves and each other against COVID-19,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We must continue wearing masks, washing hands, staying six feet apart, and working from home when possible. Those practices bought us time to learn about and prepare for the virus – and they will keep us safe during this next phase of our response.”
The 2018 Minnesota census indicated that 5.61 million people live in the state. As of Monday, June 8th, there were 28,271 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 1,202 COVID-19 related deaths, and 23,731 people have recovered from the virus. Nobles County has had 1,592 confirmed cases with 5 deaths. Murray County has had 41 cases with no deaths reported.
