Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 6, 2020

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April 6, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:00 PM on 4/6/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian Pacific Islander community, Governor Tim Walz launched a Discrimination Helpline today to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The helpline will allow Minnesotans who experience or witness discrimination to report incidents directly to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Minnesotans are resilient people who support their neighbors when the going gets tough,” Governor Walz said. “As Asian Americans in Minnesota report heightened cases of discrimination amid COVID-19, my message is clear: Viruses don’t discriminate, and neither do we.”

Minnesotans can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit this online form. Translation services are available.

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Support for Veterans

>Governor Walz also announced today that Minnesota veterans impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for $6.2 million in financial assistance grants from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).

Starting today, MDVA is accepting applications from Minnesota veterans who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. MDVA will award one-time financial relief grants in the amount of $1,000.

To apply for the Disaster Relief Grant:

Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or MDVA Field Operations Representative at FO.MDVA@state.mn.us OR apply online at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.

To apply for the Special Needs Grant:

Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer or MDVA Field Operations Representative.

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Mental Health and Unemployment Resources

The Governor signed two executive orders today that will authorize out-of-state mental health providers to provide telehealth services to Minnesota patients and provide immediate relief to employers and unemployed workers during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.

Executive Order 20-28 authorizes out-of-state mental health providers to treat Minnesota patients via telehealth services to help ensure that the mental health needs of Minnesotans are met during the stress and uncertainty the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Minnesotans receive mental healthcare services from providers in neighboring states. Executive Order 20-28 ensures that care can continue.

To provide relief to Minnesota’s workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, Executive Order 20-29 provides an administrative fix to streamline applications for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and will help Minnesota qualify for additional federal UI funds.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.

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