Dear neighbors,
Governor Walz has announced a series of new steps to control the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota. The new restrictions he announced this afternoon will apply to social gatherings, special events, and late night service at bars and restaurants. These settings have been directly linked to more than 70 percent of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Minnesota. Governor Walz also announced that the state will allocate $10 million in funding to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.
Starting this Friday, bars and restaurants must close at 10 p.m., close counter service, and limit indoor capacity. There will be a 10-person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings, and all gatherings will be limited to members of three or fewer households. Capacity limits for weddings, funerals, and similar events will be phased in as well. More details are available here.
COVID-19 Resources
Unfortunately COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Dakota County and across the state. Please continue wearing masks, social distancing, and following public health guidelines. Staying safe and informed is more important than ever.
Minnesota’s COVID-19 dashboard, available here, is a great source of reliable and up-to-date information about the virus. You can find information about COVID-19 testing, including sites near you, here.
![Hansen Whitetail Woods](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MNHOUSEDFL/2020/11/3861178/img-0611_original.jpg)
I enjoyed visiting the beautiful Whitetail Woods Regional Park last week. I encourage you to spend some time outdoors if you can!
Special Session and Upcoming Events
The Minnesota Legislature has continued working and meeting each month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our next special session will take place this Thursday, November 12. You can watch it live here.
The next Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources hearing will take place on Wednesday, November 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can view the meeting agenda and materials here.
If you’d like to stay updated on our work, you can like my official Facebook page here. Please feel free to call or email me with questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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