Dear Neighbors,
On Thursday Governor Walz signed a new executive order to allow businesses in manufacturing, industrial, and office settings that are non-customer facing to reopen. According to the Governor, this order could help as many as 100,000 Minnesotans return to work starting this Monday, April 27.
Businesses must create and share a safety plan for keeping employees safe, conduct daily health screenings of employees upon their arrival, and continue teleworking whenever possible. The Department of Labor and Industry will have an optional template plan available to use as a start point.
Click this link for more info on the guidelines, along with details on what businesses are allowed to return to work, so please check that out if you have questions.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development will be hosting two webinars to discuss this process. More information on the webinars can be found here.
My hope is that this announcement serves as another step forward to get more Minnesotans back to work in a safe and healthy way. I will continue working with the Walz administration to help reopen as many businesses as possible and do it in a way that protects the health and safety of employees and our communities.
Guidance for Resorts, RV Resorts, and Campgrounds
There has been a lot of uncertainty about how the governor’s executive orders impact Minnesota’s resorts, a major industry in our part of the state. This week, we received clarification from the governor’s office that resorts never were closed. Here is the most up to date and accurate guidance we have received:
- The hotel portions of resorts (including rented cabins) can open as planned and can accept guests.
- Guests do not have to be members of a critical sector to stay at a resort.
- Communal amenities may not be open for use.
- While resorts can accept visitors, the Stay at Home Order continues to discourage unnecessary travel, and the Order asks people to remain close to their homes.
- Resorts do not have to open if they are not comfortable doing so.
Maintenance and cleaning staff can begin work now to prepare for the season. Of course, the health and safety of employees and guests should remain a priority throughout the season, so please do your part.
Campgrounds and RV resorts are open, with caveats, click here for a rundown of that information.
Resources for Farmers
Farmers all over Minnesota, including from our area, are hurting along with many other Minnesotans.
I wanted to pass along a website that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has put together. It covers numerous topics and includes contacts for department staff. It really is a great resource for farmers in these tough times.
Click here to learn more.
Staying in Touch
Please contact me if you have any legislative questions, concerns, or ideas. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-5356 or via email at rep.john.poston@house.mn.
Have a good weekend,
John