GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn — Walz issues 'Stay Home' executive order for 2 weeks in Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz has issued a "stay home" order for Minnesotans to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Walz made the announcement by video Wednesday, as he is self-quarantining after a member of his security detail tested positive for coronavirus. Walz said he's putting in place "significant mitigation" for two weeks, designed to reduce person-to-person contact by 80%. The "Stay at Home" order extends from March 27 at 11:59 p.m. to April 10 at 5 p.m., directing Minnesotans not to leave their homes except for essential needs, including things like going out to buy medicine or groceries. The closure of bars and restaurants is extended to May 1, and schools will continue distance learning until May 4. Walz said liquor stores will remain open.
Remember Avivo? It's one of several agencies that last year found housing for more than 100 people who'd been living in tents along Hwy. 55 near Cedar Ave. in Minneapolis. The non-profit organization wants to keep helping Minnesotans experiencing homelessness and/or addiction, but COVID-19 is creating new challenges. According to Emily Bastian, Vice President of Chemical and Mental Health, the pandemic directly impacts around 100 people who currently live in Avivo housing who come to Avivo for treatment services. Avivo now asks its clients who come to its south Minneapolis buildings to practice social distancing - even in group treatment - and to stay home in between sessions. But when home is a shelter, the risk of coronavirus is still there.
As Minnesota hunkers down to fight the coronavirus, there has been increased demand for food., and Minnesota-based Cargill says they are up to the task of meeting that demand. Ruth Kimmelshue, Senior Vice President of Global Operations for Cargill, says Cargill’s global footprint means they’ve been dealing with the fallout from COVID-19 for months now, first in Asia then in Europe. Cargill employs around 160,000 people, with 90,000 of those workers in facilities around the world producing animal feed, cutting meat, cracking eggs and other essential roles. Shutting down isn’t an option. Kimmelshue says they’ve managed to keep employees safe by splitting shifts and staggering schedules to allow for physical distancing, and in some cases doing temperature checks when employees arrive at work. General Mills told KARE 11 they are also seeing an increase in demand, especially for cereal, canned soup and other shelf stable products.
