Local units of government have taken action to require face coverings. Below is a digest of local actions.

NOTE: Most local order are superseded by Governor Walz's Executive Order 20-81 establishing a statewide masking requirement. Click here to learn more about the statewide order taking effect July 25, 2020. See each community below to review the status of each local order as it relates to the statewide order.

• Winona - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 10 effective date: Face masks required in indoor public spaces and anywhere where social distancing is difficult. https://www.cityofwinona.com/maskorder

• Rochester - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 8 effective date: Face masks required in indoor public spaces. https://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/emergency-management/covid-19-coronavirus-information

• Mankato - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 10 effective date: Face masks required in indoor public spaces. https://www.mankatomn.gov/government/city-council/face-covering-ordinance

• Edina - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 6 effective date: Face masks required inside businesses and indoor facilities. https://www.edinamn.gov/1676/Coronavirus-Information

• Minneapolis -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. May 26 effective date: Face masks required inside businesses and indoor facilities. http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/faqs

• St. Paul - The St. Paul order and the statewide order will both be in effect on July 25. June 1 effective date: Face masks are required inside city buildings and licensed businesses. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/emergency-management/coronavirus-covid-19/emergency-executive-orders#May%2027,%202020-09

• Blaine -This order is in addition to the statewide order going into effect July 25. July 2 effective date: Face masks required in government buildings. https://www.blainemn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1779

• University of Minnesota - The University of Minnesota order stands as the prevailing order. July 1 effective date: Face masks required in any enclosed or indoor space of university campuses and properties. On-campus apartments and dorm rooms are an exception. https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/face-coverings

• Bloomington -This order is in addition to the statewide order going into effect July 25. July 13 effective date: Face masks required in city facilities and strongly encouraged in other indoor public settings. https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/ph/news/face-mask-safety-2020-06-08

• Duluth -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 13 effective date: Face masks required where business with the public is done, or anywhere public services are given including non-profits and churches. https://duluthmn.gov/covid19/face-coverings-required/

• Excelsior - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 14 effective date: Face masks required in public indoor areas including, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, and more. http://www.excelsiormn.org/civicalerts.aspx?AID=491

• Minnetonka - This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 23 effective date: Face masks required in public buildings. https://www.minnetonkamn.gov/our-city/covid-19-updates/face-mask-requirement

• Koochiching County - July 14 effective date: Face masks strongly encouraged in indoor areas accessible to the public. https://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/363/Coronavirus-Information

• St. Louis Park - The St. Louis Park order stands as the prevailing order. July 17 effective date: Face masks strongly encouraged in indoor areas accessible to the public. https://www.stlouispark.org/our-city/coronavirus

• MSP Airport - The Metropolitan Airports Commission order standa as the prevailing order. July 27 effective date: Face masks required in public spaces including outdoor locations where social distancing is not possible. https://www.mspairport.com/TravelConfidently

• St. Cloud -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 20 effective date: Face masks required in public indoor spaces. https://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/1724/COVID-19-Business-Resources

• Roseville -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 27 effective date: Face masks required in public indoor spaces. https://www.cityofroseville.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2432

• Bemidji -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 20 effective date: Face masks required in public indoor spaces. https://www.ci.bemidji.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7BDC40720D-A823-4643-91CD-6456402D11F6%7D/uploads/Mask_Declaration_-_Posting.pdf

• Shoreview -This order will be void July 25 and replaced by the statewide order. July 27 effective date: Face masks required in public indoor spaces. https://www.shoreviewmn.gov/our-city/coronavirus-information/mask-policy

If you see a community face covering requirement missing, please let Savannah Sepic know by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

May 30:

After another night of deep unrest and significant destruction of property in Minneapolis and to some degree in other parts of the metro, we want to provide you a few updates.

• CURFEWS: The vast majority of local governments in the metro have instituted curfews that continue tonight from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with a few variations on the times.  Please check with your local government for times and updates on how curfews impact employees traveling to and from work. Curfews are likely to and should be enforced to a much greater degree than last night as a tool to maintain order and prevent looting and arson.
  
  
• LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE: According to the plans discussed this morning by the Governor and key law enforcement leaders, this evening Minneapolis and St. Paul are positioned to enforce curfews as a means to identify and deal with vandals, looters and those setting fires.  Please take a moment to remind your employees of the importance of obeying the curfews as a tool to separate those peacefully protesting and living their lives  from those committing unlawful acts.  Minneapolis, St. Paul and the State plan a large law enforcement presence this evening and have created the expectation they will be addressing those out past curfew as a tool for curbing unlawful activities.
  
  
• POP UP LOOTING: Pop up looting and property destruction continues to occur around the metro, not just in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Targeted business tend to be liquor, high-end clothing, tobacco, phones, electronics, pharmacy and convenience stores, but frankly no retailer is immune to this activity.  We recommend all metro stores consider appropriate actions to safeguard your customers, employees and inventory.  We have seen a number of store closures, boarding up of windows and communication with local law enforcement to help assess the situation.
  
  
• SHORT-TERM: We hope for a better night tonight but unfortunately recommend retailers plan as if unrest continues.

Some MnRA members have experienced complete or partial store losses. In addition, all retailers including our small businesses and new American-owned businesses are experiencing customer impacts only exacerbating the current COVID-19 environment.

MnRA is in communication with elected officials and law enforcement, and any retailer is welcome to contact us at any time for assistance.

We continue to pray for peace and justice, with the family of George Floyd, our communities, and a restoration of peace at the center of those prayers.

 

May 29:

Good afternoon MnRA members.  Just an FYI that a curfew will be instituted by the Governor for Minneapolis and St. Paul beginning this evening from 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.  The curfew will be evaluated on a day by day basis.

 

May 28:

Just a quick note as I am sure those of you with stores in the metro area are monitoring the unrest closely. 

We have noted some instances where local police departments are recommending to businesses that they consider closing due to mobile groups that are looting stores or the potential for looting is high. In anticipation of demonstrations, Metro Transit has shut down light rail service and bus service will stop as of 4:00 p.m.

We recommend:

1. Monitor your local police department’s social media feed or make a call to seek the advice of law enforcement.
   
   
2. Error on the side of the safety of your employees and customers as you make decisions over the next couple of days, being mindful of how quickly situations can change.
   
   
3. Be prepared to secure and close your store.
   
   
4. Create a quick inventory of products on hand in the event you would need to file an insurance claim, including pictures and a date stamp.

Our hearts ache in this situation. We pray for justice and peace, and that stores are kept in a position where they are ready to the serve community needs in a safe, peaceful environment.

Please let us know if you need anything.

From mandatory closures to reduced customers and increased expenses, COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on retailers and all of Minnesota's industries. At the Minnesota Retailers Association we have been inspired and impressed with the incredible support local chambers of commerce, local business associations, and their partnering local governments have been providing throughout the pandemic.

"We know today, local chamber executives and their teams are on the pandemic economic front-line, working long hours to keep businesses informed and help them prepare for what's coming next," said Minnesota Retailers Association President Bruce Nustad. "An important part of the impressive local chamber work has been their collaboration with cities and counties. And we have seen local governments step up in big, big ways in partnership with their chamber of commerce through creativity and flexibility. In many ways, through their collaborations over the years, local chambers and local government have trained for this very moment, and retailers, small businesses and the Minnesota Retailers Association are so grateful. These collaborations and resulting actions are leading the efforts to save Minnesota's mainstreets."

While federal and state relief and support initiatives are important, here are a few examples of how local chambers in partnership with local governments are making a significant difference in keeping local economies moving forward:

• Timely and critical relief funding
• Grants to help businesses stay afloat and re-open or prepare to re-open under safety protocols
• Relaxed signage regulations allowing business to better communicate with customers
• Flexibility with sidewalks, allowing the expansion of stores outdoors
• Re-open initiatives that unify the chamber and government around safe re-openings
• Letters of support for local communities highlighting local needs
• Backing of safe shopping zones, welcoming customers back
• Speeding permit processes
• Expansion of outdoor dining
• Sharing of ideas and updates

These efforts and many more represent the vital work being done by chambers of commerce, business associations and local governments. Thank you to each!

Now is a great time to support your local chamber or business association through membership!