A new round of modified COVID-19 regulations went into effect last weekend. They include:
50 percent capacity, no more than 250 patrons maximum for indoor and outdoor dining. The dining curfew has been extended to 11 p.m.
25 percent capacity, no more than 250 patrons maximum for indoor entertainment venues such as museums and movie theaters.
Receptions and private events can operate at 25 percent capacity, no more than 50 people maximum. The 11 p.m. dining curfew also applies to receptions and events where food is served.
Gyms, fitness studios and pools may operate at 25 percent capacity, 250 people maximum.
Gov. Walz has also renewed the peacetime emergency for another 30 days.
Walz Schools Announcement
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Gov. Walz announced that all middle and high schools will have the option to return to in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 22, with the expectation that by March 8 every school will offer some form of in-person learning. Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, only elementary schools had been allowed to host in-person learning.
What we know:
Families who aren’t comfortable sending their children in person will still have a remote learning option.
The requirement for phased
transition to in-person is eliminated.
Requirements are that staff wear face shields and masks, and that schools offer frequent COVID-19 testing.
As of now, there is no official plan to ensure all schools open March 8.
Gov. Walz said the factors that determined his decision were increased testing in school, vaccination of teachers (currently at 25 percent), and declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Bill to Prevent Governor-issued School Closure
A bill that would prevent a governor’s authority to close schools, alter school schedules or change school activities during a peacetime emergency passed the Senate this week on a vote of 40-27. The body’s two Independent members as well as four DFL members voted in favor of the bill.
The bill would allow the decision to curtail school schedules and activities instead to be made on a local level. The bill also states that a governor may consult with school leaders regarding any action needed for emergency management purposes. A long and passionate debate ensued on the Senate floor. The opposing opinions on the concept can be surmised using the following quotes:
“The damage from keeping our kids locked out of schools by a governor fiat has
been incredibly dangerous to our children, our families, our economy. It is essential that these important decisions rest with those who are most affected, those closest to the situation who know the issues the best.” – Sen. Carla Nelson, author of SF2.
“This is not about opening schools, this is not about keeping kids safe, this is not about working together to solve a historic problem, this is not about the opportunity gap, this is not about addressing COVID, this is not about protecting school workers. This is about trying to score political points against the governor.” – Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent
The bill has a House companion, but it is not expected that there will be any action on the proposal in that body.
Dates to Remember
Key dates for the 2021 Legislative Session are:
February 26: Release of the February Budget and Economic Forecast.
March 12: First deadline. This is the deadline by which committees must act favorably on bills in the body where the bill originated.
March 19: Second deadline. This is the deadline by which committees in the opposite body
must act favorably on bills or companions of bills.
March 26–April 5: Legislative Easter/Passover break.
April 9: Third deadline. This is the deadline by which committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
May 17: End of regular session.
They Said It...
“It’s time to get our students back in school and we can do that now safely.” – Gov. Walz on middle and high school in-person learning
