Community Resources
State of Minnesota COVID-19 Data Dashboard
- The dashboard provides the latest available data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment and testing. The dashboard will be updated daily.
Stay at Home Orders
- Governor Walz has issued a Stay-At-Home order in Minnesota to be in effect from Friday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. and last until 5 p.m. Friday, April 10. The executive order outlines the jobs/business types that are considered essential during the two-week shutdown. It also lists reasons Minnesotans are allowed to leave their homes during the duration of the order.
- Read the Executive Order Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home for more information.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Essential vs. Non-Essential Businesses/Industries
- View guidance by the US Department of Homeland Security
- View detailed guidance from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. This list is broken down by 173 occupational titles.
- If after reviewing the guidance documents above you are still unsure whether your occupation/business/industry is essential, you may send an email to criticalsectors@state.mn.us for review.
MDH Hotlines
Health Questions
- Call 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
School and Child Care Questions
- Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Housing Questions
- For single-family residences: 651-296-8215
- For multi-family residences: 651-297-4455
Unemployment Assistance
Volunteer and Donation Needs
- Greater Mankato Area United Way has compiled a list of emergency volunteer needs and needed items in our region. They will continue to update their webpage with information.
Response Grants
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation COVID-19 Responsive Grants 2020
- The Foundation has created a $750,000 COVID-19 rapid response fund that will be open as of April 1, 2020. The Foundation invites applications for grants between $5,000–$25,000 aimed at addressing immediate needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants are for a six-month period from the date funding is awarded. Grant applications will be reviewed and funded every two weeks until available funds are depleted.
- Priority focus areas include but are not limited to:
- Child care for health care workers, emergency workers and other priority populations
- Emergency food shelf and food delivery for vulnerable people
- Support for people experiencing economic insecurity
- Anti-xenophobia and anti-bias efforts related to COVID-19
- Homelessness or housing insecurity exacerbated by the crisis
- Learn more about the responsive grants by visiting the Blue Cross Blue Shield COVID-19 Responsive Grants web page.
School Closure Information
Governor’s Executive Orders
A list of recent Executive Orders in response to by Governor Tim Walz are below. To view a full list of Executive Orders, visit the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library’s website.
- Providing for Emergency Relief from Regulations to Motor Carriers and Drivers
- Ensuring Continuing Operations of the Medical Cannabis Program
- Authorizing Peach Officers, Firefighters, and Security-Related Licensing Boards to Modify Requirements
- Providing for Emergency Relief from Regulations to Motor Carriers and Drivers
- Authorizing Minnesota Health-Relief from Regulations to Motor Carriers and Operators
- Authorizing the State Auditor to Temporarily Suspend Reporting Requirements
- Allow for Coverage of Employees of Constitutional Officers in Executive Order 20-07
- Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home
- Clarifying Application of Executive Order 20-09 to Veterinary Surgeries and Procedures
- Directing Non-Hospital Entities to Inventory and Preserve Vital Medical Equipment
- Providing Immediate Relief to Small Businesses
- Suspending Evictions and Writs of Recovery
- Authorizing National Guard Assistance to COVID-19 Response
- Preserving Access to Human Services Programs
- Securing Federal Authority to Continue Human Services Programs
- Combating Price Gouging
- Directing Delay of Inpatient and Outpatient Elective Surgery and Procedural Cases