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.

Outdoor Recreation, Facilities and Public Guidelines 

• Guidelines for outdoor recreational activities during COVID-19 pandemic have been put together based on Governor Walz’s Emergency Executive Order for Safe Outdoor Recreation. The guidelines address public health protection measures for both authorized outdoor recreational facilities and the general public. 

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

• Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program
  • What Do I Need to Know?

Emergency Food Support

• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Emergency Food Support

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

• Minnesota Department of Education Information Page

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.