REGIONAL- Gov. Tim Walz “turned back the dials” on coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, targeting restaurants, bars, social gatherings, and receptions for tighter controls to combat the unchecked spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota.
The state has hit recent record highs in daily cases, case positivity rates ,and the seven-day rolling average, and hospitals are quickly reaching capacity while experiencing shortages of health care staff.
“I recognize this is painful,” Walz said in a televised press conference. “We are in the midst of a significant surge in coronavirus cases. I wish I could tell you that this was unexpected, but it was not.”
There were three consecutive days last week when new positive COVID-19 cases soared about 5,000 in Minnesota, and Tuesday’s number was 4,906. By contrast, in the first two weeks of September only one day exceeded 1,000 new cases. Health officials continue to stress that the rate of new cases is rising faster than the rate of testing, and that positivity rates in many areas of the state indicate that spread of the virus is unchecked.
However, while the rates are higher than when Walz implemented a 51-day lockdown last spring, he said that much has been learned since that time, and that a data-driven “surgical” approach of using limited restrictions could be effective. Retail businesses have been doing a good job of implementing COVID-19 protocols, Walz said, and based on low numbers of cases associated with them he left those protocols in place.
The greatest threat to Minnesotans at this time comes from informal group gatherings where people are failing to adhere to the guidelines of mask wearing, social distancing, and limiting group sizes, he said. Targeting those activities gives the state the best chance of reining in the virus.
Citing statistics developed through contact tracing, Walz said that cases associated with bars and restaurants double after 9 p.m. State health officials have linked 177 COVID-19 outbreaks in Minnesota to bars and restaurants.
Walz announced that bars and restaurants must close for all but carry-out between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., and counter areas must be completely closed to standing and seating. All patrons must be seated, and games, such as darts, that require standing are prohibited.
Restaurants and bars are also restricted to 50- percent seating capacity indoors and outdoors, with a maximum of 150 patrons.
The moves brought a swift response from Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak, who along with other industry representatives was briefed on the changes Tuesday morning.
“Unfairly singling out every bar and every restaurant in Minnesota is not a scalpel – it’s a hatchet targeting one of Minnesota’s hardest hit industries this year,” Chesak said in a press release issued three hours before Walz’s press conference. “Bars and restaurants are only affiliated with two percent of the cases, but these new blanket rules across the state will cause more businesses to close, leaving more people unemployed and unable to support their families. We have yet to see real empirical data from state leaders showing how these regulations could help.”
Those with upcoming weddings may have to change their post-ceremony activities given Walz’s new restrictions regarding receptions, which apply to any ceremonial gatherings, such as funerals, that may have a post-event social function.
State health officials have been reporting for weeks that wedding receptions, but not the ceremonies themselves, have been linked to significant outbreaks of COVID-19. Last week they reported more than 70 such outbreaks had been identified.
Acknowledging that it would be difficult for those getting married in the immediate future to cancel their plans without suffering financially, Walz said that receptions can remain at 50-percent capacity of the venue or a maximum of 150 people through Nov. 26. On Nov. 27, the gathering size will be cut down to 50, and a 25-person maximum will be enacted on Dec. 11.
Informal social gatherings have been identified as a primary cause of skyrocketing case numbers, and Walz noted that young adults make up the largest group of people contracting COVID-19 in these settings.
Beginning Friday at 10 p.m., both indoor and outdoor social gatherings are limited to ten people. Outdoor gatherings were previously allowed to have 25 attendees. Gatherings also should not include people from more than three households. These restrictions apply to everything from outdoor parties to indoor family events, such as Thanksgiving celebrations.
Walz said the state is “not going into someone’s home and arresting them on Thanksgiving,” however. Compliance will rely simply on people following the rules.
“We need to move now,” Walz said. “This has moved incredibly quickly.”
The new restrictions drew a favorable response from Marilyn Peitso, president of the Minnesota Medical Association.
“We are seeing, firsthand, the rapid spike in COVID-19 cases,” Peitso said. “These are not just statistics, but rather these are our patients, health care professionals, our teachers, our family members, our fellow Minnesotans.”