The COVID-19 virus has accomplished something in Minnesota that
60-degree below zero windchills, Olympic curling on TV, and the
alluring aroma of homemade lutefisk cannot: forcing Minnesotans to
stay home.
On March 25, 2020, Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-20, making
Minnesota one of the latest states to issue a "shelter in
place" directive. Governor Walz had delayed any such orders
until now to allow sufficient time to collect and analyze data from
other states and countries. Ultimately, the order is very similar
to those issued in other jurisdictions. To summarize, the order
directs all Minnesotans to "stay at home or in their place of
residence" except to engage in certain specified activities or
to perform "critical sector" work that cannot be
performed at home. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on
March 27, 2020, and expires at 5:00 p.m. on April 10, unless
extended by further order.
