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Dear neighbors,
Governor Walz and leaders from Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and other health care providers recently announced a plan to dramatically increase COVID-19 testing throughout the state. Health care providers will have the ability to test as many as 20,000 people per day, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools. This increased testing and tracing will support our state’s response to the pandemic and the safe re-opening of society.
Thanks to this plan, every Minnesotan with COVID-19 symptoms will be able to get tested. On Friday, Governor Walz launched a website to help people determine if they need a test and find a nearby testing location. You can find the new website here.
Distance Learning Extended
Last week, Governor Walz announced that distance learning will continue until the end of the school year. I’m sure this news was hard to hear for many students and families, and I’d like to thank all the parents, educators, and school staff who are working hard to support our students and make distance learning possible.
Reopening Businesses Safely
The governor also shared a plan to safely and gradually reopen some businesses so up to 100,000 Minnesotans who can’t work from home can get back to work. Starting this week, certain industrial, manufacturing, and office workplaces will be allowed to reopen if they create a COVID-19 preparedness plan and meet certain safety guidelines. You can learn more about the plan here.
We need to remain vigilant as we move to reopen businesses in Minnesota. We can’t just “flip a switch” and return to the way things were before the pandemic. Gradually “turning the dials” is the best way to keep Minnesotans safe during this process.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Available Now
Unemployment benefits are now available for self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others who aren’t eligible for regular unemployment benefits. On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced that they’ve finished implementing the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and begun making payments to eligible Minnesotans. You can find more information about applying for PUA benefits here.
I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
John Persell
State Representative
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