The Latest on COVID-19

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope this note finds you safe and well. It’s hard to believe it is November already and I want to start by thanking you for your continued trust in me to be your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Happily, though this was an unconventional year, we were still able to cast our votes in a safe and secure manner. In Minnesota, the last of the votes are being counted today, and it looks like our state will continue to have a divided legislature - the only in the nation. In the conversations I’ve had with neighbors throughout the year, you shared that compromise and common-sense solutions are critical as we move forward as a state to work through our challenges, the most prevalent among them being the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the election over, I am able to once again send out these legislative updates on a regular basis. If you’re not subscribed, or know of anyone who would find these helpful, you can sign up to receive them here. Please feel free to forward on to neighbors or friends who may be interested.

A Personal Note

In the midst of an election year and a global pandemic, my husband and I welcomed our fourth child this summer. We’re so grateful to be raising our children in this wonderful community.

New COVID-19 Measures & Testing

It was long predicted that a second wave of COVID-19 would hit around this time of year, and while it hardly seemed like the first wave ever ended, Minnesota is unfortunately seeing its largest numbers of COVID cases yet. Due to the drastically increasing spread of COVID throughout the state, Governor Walz released new restrictions on bars, restaurants, and gatherings, effective Friday, 11/13, at 10pm.

Bars and restaurants will have new capacity regulations as well as a curfew, and there will be a 10-person limit for indoor and outdoor social gatherings. For larger events, such as weddings and funerals, there is a 50-person limit starting on November 27, and a 25-person limit starting December 11. These new restrictions are far from ideal, especially for our local businesses that have been struggling since the onset of COVID-19 in our state. These measures will help to ensure Minnesotans remain safe and healthy. It’s critical that we all do our part to follow guidelines, including wearing masks in all indoor public settings and getting tested when sick, in order to avoid a return to the days of businesses being shut down.

Additional locations and different forms of COVID testing are now available in Minnesota, with several locations here in Eden Prairie. You can find your closest testing site here, and you can find more information on the recent restrictions here. 

Special Session

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Minnesota Legislature continues to meet for monthly special sessions, with November’s taking place this Thursday, 11/12. We anticipate one last special session in December, after which we will be back to our regular legislative work in January, meaning that committee hearings and regular floor sessions will start taking place again. At this time, I anticipate a continuation of remote operations in order to best guard the health and safety of our staff and legislators.

To follow along with our work in the Minnesota House, you can check the House Public Information page, or by “‘liking” my official Facebook page. You can also reach me at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-7449 with any questions or comments you may have. I appreciate hearing from you, and I look forward to two more years of working together for a better Minnesota. 

Be well. 

Sincerely, 

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn