Walz Loosens Capacity Limits for Indoor Entertainment, Restaurants Following Improved COVID-19 Outlook

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(KNSI) – Some small dial turns will go into effect Saturday as Minnesota’s daily COVID-19 cases and test positivity rate continue to decline.

Friday, Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order that increases the maximum capacity at indoor entertainment venues, gyms and pools from 150 people to 250 people, but the overall 25 percent occupancy limit remains in place. Private event and celebration capacity is extended to 50 people.

Restaurants can now stay open until 11 p.m. with an increased maximum capacity of 250 people. The maximum capacity by the restaurant’s occupancy limit remains at 50 percent. Entertainment venues that serve on-site food and beverages must stop that service from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“Our small businesses have made enormous sacrifices for the health of their employees and communities,” Walz said. “Today, we can make these cautious, common-sense adjustments to support them because of the progress we have made controlling the spread of COVID-19 and getting the most at-risk Minnesotans vaccinated.”

Executive Order 21-07 leaves several rules in place, such as spacing tables six feet apart indoors and limiting the number of patrons at a table to six or fewer.

“While these measures are not a major dial turn, we know that they will make a difference to thousands of businesses and workers across the state,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove.

Local lawmakers have reacted to the latest executive order. In a statement Friday, St. Cloud DFL Rep. Dan Wolgamott said he strongly supports Walz’s decision to loosen the restrictions.

“There’s a lot to be optimistic about with these low rates of hospital admissions, an uptick in vaccination counts and now over 30 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older have received the vaccine,” Wolgamott said. “Still, we can’t afford to cede the ground we’ve gained in this pandemic, especially as we’re closer than ever to closing this dark chapter. It remains incredibly important that we follow public health guidelines, including wearing a mask, washing our hands, and remaining socially distant.”

Cold Spring GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth said in a statement that the 50-person limit for private events, no matter the size of the venue, is arbitrary, and she expressed frustration about a lack of communication.

“This will continue to hurt the wedding venues, event centers, and the many caterers, photographers, and other businesses they work with,” Demuth said. “It’s frustrating to once again hear these announcements through the media — I sent a letter along with more than two dozen of my colleagues all the way back on Jan. 14 and have not even received a courtesy reply or phone call from anyone in the Walz administration.”

The changes take effect Saturday at noon.

This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. Friday to reflect statements from Rep. Demuth and Rep. Wolgamott.