Questions & Help with COVID-19

Adjusting the dials - changes to Stay Safe MN

As Minnesota continues to make progress vaccinating more people and slowing the spread of COVID-19, Governor Walz has announced additional loosening of restrictions to Minnesota’s Stay Safe plan. Minnesotans can begin safely gathering with more friends and loved ones, supporting Minnesota’s small businesses, and visiting large venues.

Unless otherwise noted, the adjustments are effective at noon on Monday, March 15 and include:  

Social Settings

• Up to 15 people may gather indoors, and 50 people outdoors max.
• Social distancing between households required.

Restaurants and bars 

• Indoor dining: 75% capacity, 250 people max.
• Outdoor dining: 75% capacity, 250 people max.
• Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of four; establishments must close for on-site dining between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
• All patrons must be seated.
• Beginning April 1, restaurants and bars with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance.

Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, martial arts 

• Gym capacity is capped at 50%, but max capacity remains at 250.
• Machines and people should maintain six feet apart.
• Indoor classes are limited to 25 people, assuming distancing is observed.
• Outdoor classes are limited to 50 people.
• Masks required.
• Beginning April 1, gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, or martial arts spaces with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per percentage limits and guidance.

Indoor events and entertainment

• Open at 50% capacity, 250 people max. 
• On April 1, 2021, venues with occupant capacity greater than 500 may increase patron count as follows:
  
  • Seated indoor: may operate with an additional 15% of capacity above 500, with a max not to exceed 3,000 for the entire venue (seated venues must have assigned seating, and patrons must remain seated).
  • Non-seated indoor: may operate with an additional 10% of the capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 1,500 for the entire venue.
• Masks required. No food service between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Outdoor events and entertainment 

• Open at 50% capacity, 250 people max.
• On April 1, 2021, venues with occupant capacity greater than 500 may increase patron count as follows:
  
  • Seated outdoor: may operate with an additional 25% of capacity above 500, with a max not to exceed 10,000 for the entire venue (seated venues must have assigned seating, and patrons must remain seated).
  • Non-seated outdoor: may operate with an additional 15% of the capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 10,000 for the entire venue.
• Masks required. No food service between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Organized sports (adult and youth) 

• Practices and games open with limited spectators according to current capacity restrictions (25%, 250 max. for indoor games and 25%, 250 max. for outdoor games). See Guidance for Entertainment Venues.
• Inter-region tournaments and out-of-state play are discouraged.
• Masks are required for all, at both practices and games.
  See COVID-19 Sports Practice Guidance for Youth and Adults.

Outdoor recreation activities and facilities 

• Open per DNR’s - Outdoor Recreation Guidelines.
• Up to 50 people may engage in outdoor activities together, with at least 6 feet between households.
• Guided and instructional activities may now include more than one guide or instructor.

Places of worship, religious services, weddings and funerals 

• Open at 100% capacity. Masks required.
• Social distance of 6 feet must be maintained between households.
• No food or drink except when essential to perform a ritual or service.
• Singing is permitted as long as congregants remain masked.

Reception spaces for celebrations or private parties 

• These events are now only subject to the entertainment venue capacity limits for the setting where they are held. See entertainment guidance for details.
• Table size is limited to 6, guests must be seated while eating and drinking.
• These events may not occur between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
• Beginning April 1, reception spaces for celebrations or private parties with sufficient normal capacity may exceed 250 people per percentage limits and guidance.

Campgrounds and charter boats 

• Open with guidance.
• Three households may gather outdoors, 15 people max.

Pools and swim parks 

• Open at 50% capacity, max 250 people, and 6 feet of social distancing is required.
• See COVID-19 Public Pools under Executive Order 20-104.
• Beginning April 1, pools and swim parks with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance.

Personal services (salona, tattoos, barbers) 

• Open at 100% capactiy, but 6 feet of distance is required.

Critical and Non-Critical (non-consumer facing) buisnesses

• Beginning April 15, the requirement to work from home shifts to a strong recommendation.
• Employers are also strongly encouraged to implement reasonable accommodations for at-risk employees, or employees with one or more members of their household who have underlying medical conditions and are not yet eligible for vaccination.

Learn more details, including settings not listed here

Safe Learning Plan

Governor Walz updated the Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year on Feb. 22 to allow more middle and high school students to return to the classroom. All middle and high school students can now return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. The governor said he expected all schools to offer their students some form of in-person learning by March 8.

The Safe Learning Plan was also updated so every elementary school across the state may choose to offer in-person learning. To do this, schools need additional mitigation strategies, to include providing and requiring staff to wear a face shield and mask and offering regular testing. 

Learn more about the Safe Learning Plan

Mental health first aid

Ramsey County residents who are experiencing stress and mental health symptoms as a result of COVID-19 are encouraged to call the county’s Crisis Team for support and resources.

• Adults (18 years and older): 651-266-7900
• Children (under the age of 18): 651-266-7878​

East Metro Crisis Alliance resource guide

The East Metro Crisis Alliance maintains a resource guide for providers and caregivers to use to quickly connect people with mental health and substance use services. Learn more and view the guide

More mental health resources

Domestic abuse and sexual violence

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of you or someone you know, call 911.

• SOS Sexual Violence Services
• Sexual violence prevention & response
• Domestic abuse resources