Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz Extends Peacetime Emergency
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order on Monday to extend the peacetime emergency in Minnesota for another 30 days.
The state's peacetime emergency was first enacted on March 13. Since then, Walz has also closed all schools and issued a statewide stay-at-home order.
"Our actions have saved lives, but the threat of COVID-19 remains," Governor Walz said Monday. "The next stages of this pandemic are going to challenge us – an extension of Minnesota's peacetime emergency will allow us to protect Minnesotans' health and wellbeing and continue to respond effectively to this rapidly-evolving situation."
While the peacetime emergency is in place, landlords are prohibited from evicting their tenants, and in some cases rent or mortgage payments have been excused or deferred for those who cannot afford it at this time due to loss of employment.
Walz will seek approval of the extension from the executive council on Monday afternoon. Then the state's peacetime emergency will run until May 13.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka posted on Twitter Monday afternoon in response to the extension. He added that he hopes Walz will soon layout plans for reopening Minnesota amid COVID-19.
Our hope is Governor Walz will soon lay out his plan to reopen schools, churches, businesses, and activities after May 4th. He clearly understands the emergency caused by COVID-19. We need to be assured he also understands the economic emergency caused by his response. #mnleg
— Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) April 13, 2020
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