Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Friday that from next week there will be a significant easing of the COVID-19 restrictions. Bars and restaurants will be able to operate at 75% capacity and gyms at 50% capacity, and there will be no limit on salons and barber shops.
Also starting on Monday, March 15:
- Social gatherings can have up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people indoors.
- The pod size for youth sports can be increased to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Occupancy limits will be removed for religious services, but social distance is necessary.
Seats at the bar may increase for parties of four and, in addition to the increase in capacity at the gyms, outdoor classes can reach 50 people.
Entertainment venues can increase the permitted occupancy to 50%, from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250, according to the governor’s office.
The rules will also change for large locations starting April 1. Places with outdoor seating will be allowed to add an additional 25% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 10,000 people, while outdoor locations without seating can add an additional 15% of their capacity is greater than 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
Indoor seats can add an additional 15% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 3,000 people, and indoor seats without seats can add an additional 10% of their capacity above 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
The Minnesota Twins are set to play their first season on April 8, and with the new guidelines, 10,000 fans will be allowed to attend.
In a recent statement, the team says it is focused on strengthening health and safety measures while reviewing the new COVID-19 protocols, reports CBS Minnesota.
“Our single focus remains on the health, safety and well-being of every person who enters Target Field; to that end, we are currently reviewing the new guidance to ensure that our comprehensive reopening plan follows all MDH and Department of Health guidelines. Minneapolis Health. We will announce the next steps, including our complete stadium protocols and ticket plans, in the very near future, “said team officials.
The state made extraordinary progress on vaccinations last month, said Walz.
“Almost 1.2 million Minnesota residents have the chance and almost 650,000 are fully vaccinated. We have exceeded our goal for weeks and vaccinated more than 70% of the elderly,” said Walz on Thursday. “More Minnesota residents are now eligible for the vaccine and we are receiving more than 40,000 vaccines each day.”
He said miners should continue to take steps to protect the progress made, “but the data shows that we are winning over COVID-19”.
“The sun is shining brighter,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The authorities, however, are asking for caution regarding the new variants of COVID-19. State health officials said on Thursday that Minnesota had detected its first case of variant B.1.351 discovered for the first time in South Africa.
Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said “it is important not to let your guard down until we are done.”
“COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and we are seeing new variants more often. We need to maintain preventive measures like masking, social detachment, staying at home when sick and taking the test when appropriate. These basic tools – together with safe and effective vaccines – will help us end this pandemic and reach better days to come. “