CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION
The Twin Cities Gateway takes the health and safety of our residents and visitors very seriously, so we urge you to be informed before planning to travel to or within the State.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not issued any general travel advisories or restrictions within the United States. However, people at higher risk (such as older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions) have been advised to avoid non-essential air travel and cruise travel.
With the situation rapidly evolving, we encourage travelers to and within the state of Minnesota to seek expert guidance and take routine precautions as outlined by the CDC in order to make fact-based travel decisions.
Update – March 12, 2021
As Minnesota continues to make progress vaccinating Minnesotans and slowing the spread of COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced that on March 15 Minnesotans can begin safely gathering with more friends and loved ones, supporting Minnesota’s small businesses, and visiting large venues.
As vaccines have an impact, life is slowly returning to normal. In February, Governor Walz announced a plan to return more students to the classroom, and 90 percent of schools now offer in-person learning, while 60 percent of teachers have been vaccinated. Minnesota is weeks ahead of schedule on vaccinations. Nearly 1.2 million Minnesotans and more than 70 percent of seniors have gotten a shot.
Unless otherwise noted, the adjustments are effective at noon on Monday, March 15. They include measures to:
- Make it easier to safely gather with family:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
- Youth sports: Pod size increasing to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Religious services: Remove occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Celebrations: Follow venue guidance.
- Support small businesses:
- Bars and restaurants : Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
- Salons/barbers: Removing the occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people.
- Entertainment venues: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.
- As summer nears, the state will adjust guidelines for large venues. All venues can open at 50% capacity up to 250 people. Venues with normal occupant capacity over 500 can add additional guests, effective April 1:
- Seated outdoor venues can add an additional 25% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Non-seated outdoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Seated indoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Non-seated indoor venues can add an additional 10% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
To protect progress and keep Minnesotans safe, several safety measures will remain in place, including:
- Minnesotans should continue to wear masks.
- Continue to socially distance. All of today’s guidance requires venues to maintain 6 feet of distance between guests to reduce the spread of the virus.
- Our COVID response remains robust. Community testing sites are available at no cost. The COVIDAware App will continue to alert Minnesotans if they have been exposed.
COVID-19 Resources:
Minnesota Department of Health – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)