Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is going to join the daily briefing by the Minnesota Department of Health at 2 p.m. today (Nov. 13) to discuss measures being taken to dial back some business operations and social gatherings in an attempt to slow a significant surge in new cases of COVID-19.

Earlier this week, the Governor announced a new set of restrictions on public gatherings (Executive Order 20-96), which places restrictions on the operating hours for restaurants and bars (they must close at 10 p.m.), as well as how many people can attend gatherings like wedding receptions and Thanksgiving celebrations. The early bar closure restrictions begin at 10 p.m. tonight.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 71 percent of COVID-19 outbreaks have been tied to social settings like informal gatherings, restaurants, bars and weddings.

The state is seeing the sharpest growth in positive cases among younger people and the state is encouraging everyone between the ages of 18 and 35 to be tested because many of them could be spreading the virus while showing mild or no symptoms of the coronavirus. It is the younger crowd that was the impetus behind the decision to close bars and restaurants at 10 p.m. Walz is expected to address that issue at today’s briefing. 

To see the full text of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-96, click here: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2020-96%20Final_tcm1055-453621.pdf 

To see the Department of Health regulations for restaurants and bars, click here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/safedining.pdf 

The briefing will be carried live on some local television stations and on several social media platforms.