Coronavirus Resource Updates

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Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Updates

The Minneapolis Health Department is committed to partnering with businesses to provide information and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to State of MN COVID-19 Restrictions

On Friday, March 12, Governor Walz announced announced significant changes in guidance for businesses, social gatherings, and large venues. COVID-19 case numbers have decreased and at the same time vaccinations have increased, allowing restrictions to occupancy limits to be relaxed. Mask wearing and social distancing rules stay in place.

Effective at noon today, Monday, March 15

• Update: Karaoke is allowed but is strongly discouraged

  • Performers must wear face coverings

  • Performers must be separated from spectators by at least 12 feet.

  • See Stay Safe MN Music Activities and Performances during COVID-19 for more information

• Bars and restaurants

  • Increasing occupancy to 75%, with a limit of 250 people. These limits apply separately indoors and outdoors

  • Bar seating increases to parties of 4, table seating remains the same at parties of 6

  • Parties must remain six feet from other parties, and all patrons must be seated

  • Dine-in service is still be prohibited between 11pm and 4am

  • Dancing is still not allowed in bars and restaurants

• Salons, barbershops and body art

  • Increasing occupancy to 100%, while maintaining social distancing

• Gyms and fitness centers

  • Increasing occupancy to 50%

  • Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people

  • Machines and people must maintain 6 feet of distance

  • For more information see Gyms, Studios, and Fitness Centers / StaySafeMN

• Salons, barbershops and body art

  • Increasing occupancy to 100%, while maintaining social distancing

• Entertainment venues

  • Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25% both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250

  • Weddings and other life celebrations should follow venue guidance

  • For more information see Entertainment and Meeting Venues / StaySafeMN

• Pools

  • Open at 50% capacity

  • Maximum of 250 people

  • 6 feet of social distancing is required

Beginning April 1

• Large venues with capacity of more than 500 may increase their capacity based on the setting (indoor or outdoor), and seating arrangements (seated or non-seated). Total capacity maximums will vary for individual venues. More information. Calculating seating capacity.

• Businesses including bars, restaurants, pools, gyms, and other fitness centers with sufficient capacity may exceed 250 people, while following applicable percentage limits and guidance.

Beginning April 15

• The requirement to work from home shifts to a strong recommendation. Employers are also strongly encouraged to implement reasonable accommodations for at-risk employees, or employees with one or more members of their household who have underlying medical conditions and are not yet eligible for vaccination.

More detailed guidance

Minneapolis business can contact the Small Business Team with questions at 612-673-2499 or SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov.

Request free saliva tests for COVID-19

You can request free saliva test kits for your employees from the Minneapolis Health Department.

Fill out this easy online request for resources form.

Be sure to include information such as:

• How many test kits you are requesting

• Whether your employees will take the tests at home or at work

• What date you need the test kits by

A member of the Minneapolis COVID-19 testing team will call or email you to arrange delivery or pick-up.