COVID-19 Updates and Resources

This resource page has been added in order to keep our community updated on the latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) developments. As the likelihood of community spread throughout the United States of COVID-19 continues, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus altogether.

UPDATES:

We will continue to update this resource page as information is released. To contact the Otsego office with questions or concerns, please call 763-241-6848. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

• March 11, 2021: President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. 

• March 10, 2021: The House of Representatives passed the $1.8 trillion coronavirus relief package. Read Rep. Emmer's statement here.

• March 6. 2021: The Senate passed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, sending the package back to the House of Representatives for final passage.

• February 26, 2021: Congress passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Read Rep. Emmer's statement here.

• December 21, 2020: Congress passed a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. Read Rep. Emmer's statement here. The package allocated an additional $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more about the PPP loans here.

• July 17, 2020: On July 17, 2020, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced the expansion of the Main Street Lending Program to support Non-Profit institutions. Secretary Mnuchin sent a letter to Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell approving the expansion of the Main Street Lending Program to include the Nonprofit Organization New Loan Facility and the Nonprofit Organization Expanded Loan Facility. Read more here. 

• June 17, 2020: On June 17, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020, signed into law by President Trump on June 5, 2020.  In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers. 
• Click here to view the EZ Forgiveness Application.
• Click here to view the Full Forgiveness Application.

• June 15, 2020: On June 15, 2020, the Federal Reserve opened lender registration for the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), signaling the program will soon be operational. The MSLP will support small and mid-sized businesses, and their employees, that were in good financial standing before the public health crisis by ensuring credit flows to businesses in need. Keeping these Main Street businesses solvent will help ensure a strong and widespread economic recovery as communities across the country work to reopen. You can find frequently asked questions about the program here. 

• May 15, 2020: The U.S. House of Representatives voted on H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act which Congressman Emmer voted against. You can read his full statement here. 

• April 30, 2020:  On March 25th, 2020 Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-20 for Minnesotans to "Stay at Home" which took effect at 11:59pm on Friday, March 27, and was set to end at 5:00pm on Friday, April 10, 2020. On April 8, 2020, he extended the "Stay at Home" order until May 4th. On April 30, 2020, he again extended the "Stay at Home" order until May 17, 2020.

• April 27, 2020: The Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications until August 8, 2020. Visit here to learn more. 

• April 23, 2020: H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act passed the House and allocated an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing. Congressman Emmer voted in favor of this bill. You can read his statement here. 

• April 8, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-33 for Minnesotans to continue to "Stay at Home" until May 4, 2020. He also issued Executive Order 20-32 to ensure that health care providers can respond quickly and safely during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency.

• April 7, 2020: President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Minnesota and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing. Rep. Emmer, along with the entire Minnesota Congressional delegation sent a letter in support of Governor Tim Walz's request for this declaration.  

• April 6, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-28 allowing out-of-state mental health providers to render telehealth aid and permitting certain licensing boards to provide license and registration relief during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-29 which amended Executive Order 20-05 to expedite state unemployment insurance benefits. 

• April 4, 2020: Governor Tim Walz requested a major disaster declaration for the State of Minnesota due to the COVID-19 outbreak which began on January 20, 2020 and continues. Read the request here. The Governor specifically requested the Individuals and Households Program, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, and Disaster Case Management under the Individual Assistance program statewide; emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program statewide; and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

• April 3, 2020: Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-27 which provides for emergency relief from regulations to motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota.

• March 31, 2020: Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-25 and Executive Order 20-26. EO 20-25 authorizes Peace Officers, Firefighters, and Security-Related Licensing Boards to modify requirements during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. EO 20-26 ensures continued operation of the medical cannabis program during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. 

• March 27, 2020: The House of Representatives voted on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Congressman Emmer voted in favor. You can read his statement here. The President signed the bill into law the same day. 

• March 27, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-21 which clarified and amended previous Executive Order 20-07 to allow for coverage of employees of Constitutional Officers. It directed the Commissioner of Management and Budget to develop and implement a policy to provide paid leave to executive branch employees. He also issued Executive Order 20-22 which authorized the State Auditor to temporarily suspend reporting requirements during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-23 which authorized Minnesota Health-Related Licensing Boards to modify requirements during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-24 which provides for emergency relief from regulations to motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota.

• March 25, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-20 for Minnesotans to "Stay at Home" which takes effect at 11:59pm on Friday, March 27 and ends at 5:00pm on Friday, April 10. He also issued executive orders extending the closure of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations set forth in Executive Order 20-19 and Executive Order 20-18 until May 1, 2020 at 5:00 pm and authorizing the Commissioner of Education to implement a Distance Learning Period for Minnesota’s students beginning on March 30 through May 4, 2020. 

• March 23, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-14 suspending evictions and writs of recovery during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-15 which provided immediate relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-16 which directed non-hospital entities to inventory and preserve vital medical equipment during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-17 clarifying the application of Executive Order 20-09 to veterinary surgeries and procedures.

• March 21, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-13 authorizing the National Guard to assist with COVID-19 response.

• March 20, 2020: Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin announced that Tax Day has been delayed from April 15 and will now be July 15 this year allowing taxpayers and businesses additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.

• March 20, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-10 in an effort to combat price gouging during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-11 which secured federal authority to continue human services programs during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-12 which preserved access to human services programs during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. 

• March 19, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-09 which directed the delay of inpatient and outpatient elective surgery and procedural cases during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency.

• March 18, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-08 which clarified Executive Order 20-04 regarding public accommodations. 

• March 17, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-06 providing for emergency relief from regulations to motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota. He also issued Executive Order 20-07 which provided for State workforce needs during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. 

• March 16, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-03 which prioritized the protection of residents of Minnesota Veterans Homes during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. He also issued Executive Order 20-04 which ordered the temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation. He also issued Executive Order 20-05 which provided for the immediate relief to employers and unemployed workers during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. 

• March 16, 2020: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that Minnesota now has 54 cases of novel coronavirus. 

• March 15, 2020: The St. Cloud VA Health Care System issued operational guidelines in response to COVID-19 in relation to their facility. Read more here. 

• March 15, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-02 which authorized and directed the Commissioner of Education to temporarily close schools due to the outbreak of coronavirus. 

• March 15, 2020: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that Minnesota now has 35 cases of novel coronavirus. 

• March 14, 2020: The House passes H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act, by a vote of 363-40. Congressman Emmer voted against this legislation. you can read his statement here. 

• March 14, 2020: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that Minnesota now has 21 cases of novel coronavirus. 

• March 13, 2020: President Trump declared a national emergency in response to the spread of coronavirus. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act allows the President to mobilize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and direct federal aid to states hit by disasters and health crises.

• March 13, 2020: Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-01 which declared a peacetime emergency in Minnesota due to the coronavirus pandemic. This EO directed all state agencies to submit proposed orders and rules to protect and preserve public health and safety. 

• March 13, 2020: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced community-level strategies to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus in Minnesota communities to avoid community spread. Read more here. 

• March 13, 2020:  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that Minnesota now has 14 cases of novel coronavirus. The counties with cases are Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Stearns, Wright. All 14 cases are travel related. 

• March 13, 2020:  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that they have identified four new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. A new case in each Hennepin, Dakota, and Stearns counties. Ramsey County now has three cases. Minnesota now has nine cases in the state and all involve people who were infected while traveling or who were infected through contact with others who had traveled.

• March 13, 2020:  The Department of Health and Human Services announced it is awarding initial funding of $605 million to state and local jurisdictions to support the COVID-19 response.  These funds were provided for by the Congressional passage of the COVID-19 supplemental. Minnesota's initial allocation is $10,548,123.

• March 12, 2020: The U.S. Department of Labor announced new guidance outlining flexibilities that states have in administering their unemployment insurance (UI) programs to assist Americans affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more here. 

• March 11, 2020: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed the fourth and fifth cases of novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The cases were discovered through testing Tuesday and involved a Ramsey County resident in the 30s age range, and the Olmsted patient in the 50s age range, both individuals are recovering. 

PDF	Emergency Executive Order 20-35 Extending the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency Declared in Executive Order 20-01