Governor Walz Issues Executive Order 20-103 Lessening Restrictions on Certain Activities.

Governor Tim Walz, via Executive Order 20-103 issued December 16, 2020, lessened restrictions on social gatherings, restaurants/bars, and gyms.  Specifically, Governor Walz’s order does the following (most changes effective Saturday, December 19, 2020 through at least January 10, 2021, with some exceptions):

1. Social Gatherings:
   • Indoor social gatherings are allowed but are limited to a maximum of 10 people with no more than two households. All individuals must maintain six feet of separation.
   • Outdoor social gatherings are allowed but are limited to a maximum of 15 people with no more than three households. All individuals must maintain six feet of separation.
     • Outdoor recreational activities allowed by this Executive Order do not include rallies, spectator entertainment events, fairs, festivals, concerts, or other similar outdoor organized events.

2. Travel advisory.
   • Persons arriving in Minnesota from other states or countries, including returning Minnesota residents, are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations in MDH’s Quarantine Guidance.
   • This recommendation does not apply to individuals who must cross state or country borders for work, study, medical care, or personal safety and security.

3. Restaurants:
   • Establishments, such as bars, restaurants, cafes, breweries etc., offering food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), or tobacco products for on-premises consumption must remain closed for indoor service.
   • Restaurants may provide outdoor service if they adhere to the following requirements:
     • Physical distancing of at least six feet is maintained between parties at different tables.
     • May not exceed 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 100 people.
     • No more than four customers may be seated at a table
     • Must close and remain closed each day for outdoor on-premises consumption between the hours of 10:00 pm and 4:00 am.
     • Takeout and deliver services may continue, including between the hours of 10:00 pm and 4:00 am

4. Gyms & Fitness Centers:
   • Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor climbing facilities, indoor and outdoor exercise facilities, martial arts facilities, and dance and exercise studios may reopen for individual exercise in accordance with the following requirements:
     • 25% occupancy (but not more than 100 people)
     • Physical distancing of at least 12 feet is maintained in any area that one or more persons are exercising. In.
     • Physical distancing of at least six feet must be maintained in all other situations
     • Face coverings must be worn by all persons at all times

5. Organized Sports:
   • Youth and adult sports may resume practices, but not games, starting on January 4^th, 2021

6. Outdoor Entertainment Venues:
   • Venues providing outdoor events and entertainment (whether permanent, temporary, or mobile) such as racetracks, paintball, go-karts, mini-golf, performance venues, festivals, fairs, vendor fairs, and amusement parks may be open in accordance with the following requirements:
     • Physical distancing of at least six feet between participants from different households.
     • 25% capacity (no more than 100 people).
     • Any venue that offers food or beverages for on-premises consumption or that permits food or beverages to be consumed on premises must not offer food and beverage service each day between the hours of 10:00 pm and 4:00 am and must prohibit on-premises food and beverage consumption each day between the hours of 10:00 pm. and 4:00 am.

Virtus Law, PLLC continues to monitor changes in this area and will continue to post relevant updates to this website.