On March 24, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-20, declaring a “shelter-in-place” order in Minnesota. From Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. through Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., all persons currently living within the State of Minnesota are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence except to engage in approved activities.
During this time, residential construction, land development and real estate transactions can continue.
What You Need To Know:
- Residential construction can continue during the order.
- Housing First Minnesota has resources available for worksites, employers and employees.
- Real estate operations, including closings, can continue.
- Land development and construction of essential infrastructure, including streets and utilities, has been deemed critical.
- Local governments are adjusting their processes
- As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, visit housingfirstmn.org and blog.housingfirstmn.org for the latest information.
Specific information and resources are available below.
Construction and Real Estate Transactions Continue
Executive Order 20-20 directs Minnesotans to stay in their homes from Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 pm. through Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., unless engaging in an approved activity. Those employed in “critical industries” which includes many Housing First Minnesota member firms, can continue to work, provided proper precautions are taken.
While there was initial confusion, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development amended its Minnesota Critical Businesses List to include all construction, as was originally stated in the Executive Order. Housing First Minnesota has been advocating for your during this difficult time. You can read more about our activities on the Housing First Minnesota blog.
Important Notes:
- Health and safety are paramount and your employee and trade partner adherence to OSHA Guidelines on COVID-19 are critical to protecting your teams and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
- Non-compliance by members of the housing industry may affect residential construction’s designation.
- During the shelter-in-place order, employees are allowed to work, but their attendance is not mandatory. Employees or trade partners exhibiting symptoms must stay home.
- When in doubt, if your primary function is residential construction, you are a critical function.
Those continuing to work outside of their homes during this order need to take precautions to limit the ability of COVID-19 to spread. This includes:
- Follow proper social distancing practices.
- Promote frequent and thorough hand washing by providing workers, customers and worksite visitors with a place to wash their hands. If soap and water are not available, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
- Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
- Discourage sharing of personal items such as construction equipment or tools.
Any administrative functions should be done remotely during the two-week order. Sales center and model homes should be open by-appointment-only.
To help you adjust your operations, Housing First Minnesota has assembled a series of documents for use by your employees, trade partners and on your job sites.
Housing First Minnesota Resources
- OSHA Guidelines on COVID-19
- Vehicle Pass – MS Word – Not Required, Per MNDEED
- Personnel Pass – MS Word – Not Required, Per MNDEED
- Practice Social Distancing Job Site Sign (English)
- Practice Social Distancing Job Site Sign (Spanish)
- One Trade Per Home Job Site Sign (English)
- One Trade Per Home Job Site Sign (Spanish)
- Top Tips COVID-19 Protection (English)
- Top Tips COVID-19 Protection (Spanish)
Housing First Minnesota staff is working around the clock to keep you aware of the latest information about COVID-19. For the latest news and information, visit housingfirstmn.org, the Housing First Minnesota blog, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
