Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday loosened stringent restrictions on businesses and social gatherings, following four weeks of stricter rules prompted by a spike in coronavirus cases. The new procedures, which will not reopen in-person dining, come as Walz is facing pressure from a group of business owners who say they plan to reopen for in-person dining no matter what his office says.
As cases were surging in the state in mid-November, Walz implemented a four week “pause” that shuttered indoor and outdoor dining and gyms, stopped adult and youth sports, and severely limited social gatherings, among other restrictions.
In his Wednesday statement, he congratulated Minnesotans for obeying the restrictions and dropping daily case counts of the virus.
