Minnesota took another step forward today to getting life back to normal, as Governor Walz announced gradual re-opening of gyms, indoor dining, and entertainment venues.

Beginning Wednesday, June 10th these places can open again, but with some guidelines and restrictions put in place, here are all the changes as the state enters Phase III of the reopening plan:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

In addition, all critical businesses will be required by the state to come up with and implement their own COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29th. The Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Department of Labor and Industry will be releasing industry guidance no later than June 15th.

Minnesota's COVID-19 informational website includes a category-by-category breakdown on the previous, current, and potential future phase implications. You can see that chart here.

“Thank you, Minnesotans, for the sacrifices you’ve made to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Walz said at a press conference about the changes. “Thanks to your dedication, we are now in a position to carefully turn the dial toward reopening society. As we move forward, it is more important than ever that we each do our part as we trust and rely on each other to keep our state safe.”

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