Coronavirus: Walz To Discuss Loosening Restrictions Wednesday

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set to make an announcement Wednesday about loosening the statewide restrictions related to the coronavirus. Walz will address Minnesotans at 2 p.m.

Indoor dining and other social activities have been banned since Nov. 20. Those restrictions were announced and then extended, while Minnesota was going through a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Infection rates and fatalities from the virus have fallen considerably since then, giving hope to some Minnesotans that Walz will allow restaurants and bars to reopen.

Here are the statewide coronavirus restrictions set to expire on Jan. 10:

• Prohibition on indoor service for food and drink at bars, restaurants
• Prohibition on indoor service at tobacco establishments
• Prohibition on indoor venues that offer event space or recreational entertainment continue to be closed to members of the public
• Prohibition on Minnesotans gathering inside with more than one other household, and more than 10 people inside
  • Social gatherings are currently limited to two additional households (three total) with a max of 15 people.

The bans on youth and adult sports activities, and gyms, were lifted on Jan. 3.

Also read: COVID-19 Vaccine In Hennepin County: Updated Numbers

Editor's note: The original version of this article has been updated to correct the date and time of Gov. Tim Walz's address.