Gunther backs Walz’s decision

ST. PAUL — On Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that industrial, manufacturing and office-based businesses will be able to reopen effective Monday.

State Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, said in a press release that he backs the governor’s approach.

“These companies have to prove they can reopen and keep their employees safe,” Gunther said. “If they can do that, allowing them to get back to work seems like basic common sense to me.”

Gunther said that according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development, in order to reopen the businesses are required to do three things:

o Create and share with their employees a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that explains the actions they are taking to ensure social distancing and keep workers safe.

o Engage in health screening of employees each day at arrival.

o Continue to use telework whenever possible.

“Moving forward, we need to be looking at all ways that we can gradually begin to reopen shuttered businesses while maintaining our top priority of keeping Minnesotans safe,” Gunther said.

Walz announces testing website

ST. PAUL — As part of Minnesota’s effort to provide widespread, rapid COVID-19 testing, Gov. Tim Walz has unveiled a website to help Minnesotans find a testing location in their community.

“Access to COVID-19 testing is critical to moving Minnesota forward during this pandemic,” Walz said in a press release. “This tool will help make our widespread testing initiative accessible to all Minnesotans,, and it’s a direct result of our partnership with the cutting-edge health care sector in Minnesota.”

The testing collaborative includes 127 clinics and health care facilities across the state. The new COVID-19 website provides access to Minnesotans’ closest testing site, offers general information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and provides an interactive screening tool to help Minnesotans determine if they need a test.

The site — https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick — allows the state to coordinate with local public health and tribal organizations that have strong connections to the communities they serve.

“Aggressive and expanded testing is an essential part of our overall strategy to mitigate this pandemic,” said Commissioner of Health Jan Malcom. “As we strive to reach our goal of testing up to 20,000 people per day, we must do everything we can to expand access points across the state. This work is literally saving lives.”