Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: December 23, 2020

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Encourage High School Youth Impacted by COVID-19 to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

On Monday, Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Department of Employment and Economic Development  Commissioner Steve Grove facilitated a virtual roundtable discussion with high school youth to encourage student workers who have been laid off due to COVID-19 to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

High school students who’ve lost their job due to COVID can apply for unemployment at uimn.org.

Governor Walz Updates Minnesotans on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz joined the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to provide updates on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Minnesota. 

On Monday, December 18, the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments arrived in Minnesota. Governor Walz visited the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to greet the very first shipment’s arrival. On Tuesday, December 19, the Governor returned to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to applaud as the Minneapolis VA administered their first vaccine to nurse Thera Witte. In the past week, almost 3,000 frontline health care workers have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Over the weekend, the new Moderna vaccine was granted an emergency use authorization, and doses of the Moderna vaccine are already starting to arrive in the state. The Governor and his team are working closely with Moderna, Pfizer, and the federal government to ensure the speedy and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines to Minnesotans.

Photo is courtesy of the Star Tribune via AP Pool

December 23, 2020: Winter Storm Emergency Closures at Community Testing Sites

In the interest of participant and site staff safety, testing at the following COVID-19 community testing sites has been impacted today due to winter storm and blizzard warnings. If your COVID-19 test was affected today by the winter weather, please consider rescheduling for a later date.

You can also order a no-cost at-home test: COVID-19 Test at Home.

All community testing sites will be closed on Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1.

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Urge Minnesotans to Celebrate Safely

There is strong evidence that the state is starting to turn a corner thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans over the last few weeks. But we are not out of the woods yet. The rates of community spread, hospitalizations, and deaths put the state well above the high-risk threshold, and are still significantly higher than this summer and fall. Hospitals remain concerned about capacity as COVID-19 continues to spread in communities across Minnesota.

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan urge Minnesotans to continue their efforts to keep one another safe. This holiday season, continue to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid indoor gatherings until more people are vaccinated. Please continue to do your part to help Minnesota overcome COVID-19.

Governor Walz Encourages Minnesotans to Download COVIDAware MN App

COVIDaware MN has strong support throughout the state, and works best when local organizations lead adoption for their communities. Eight universities and colleges are partnering with Minnesota to encourage adoption of COVIDaware MN, and many more are conducting outreach to their communities. Alongside partnerships with higher education institutions, Minnesota is working with health organizations and trusted faith community partners to encourage the adoption of COVIDaware MN.

Minnesotans can learn more about the app on the COVIDaware MN website , and download it today from the Google Play or App Store.

Celebrating the Holiday Season at the Minnesota Governor’s Residence with Local Partners

While this year looks different than years past, the Governor’s Residence continues the Minnesota tradition of collaborating with local partners to decorate for the holidays.

  • On the west side of the property, a 30 foot blue spruce is decorated by Rainbow Holiday Design from Minnetonka with over 14,000 LED colored lights.
  • Donated by Mickman Brothers from Ham Lake, a large wreath hangs above the doorway, 400 feet of fresh evergreen garland along the front fence, and wreath above the pedestrian gate.
  • The 1970 Vietnam War Memorial sculpture, MAN-NAM by Paul T. Granlund, will be lit on display for the holiday season by WE Lighting LLC.
  • The Summit Avenue entrance planters and décor are decorated by Lake Harriet Florist from Minneapolis.
  • Four holiday baskets hung under the porte-cochere are donated by Bachman’s Floral Gift and Garden from South Minneapolis.
  • Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery from Cambridge donated trees for inside the Governor’s Residence and backyard.