Gov. Tim Walz To Loosen Coronavirus Restrictions: Livestream

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday will unveil his plan to loosen the statewide restrictions related to the coronavirus that he put into place in November. Walz make his announcement at 2 p.m.

Patch will carry a livestream of Walz's news conference.

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.

Minnesota Surpasses 80K COVID-19 Vaccinations

More than 80,000 Minnesotans have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, state health officials reported Tuesday. The vast majority of people vaccinated received the Pfizer vaccine.

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