Executive Order 20-56: What You Need to Know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-56 on May 13 to replace his previous Stay-at-Home Order which is set to expire on May 18. This allows Minnesotans to move more freely outside their homes and gives additional businesses the to reopen with added precautions.
The original Stay-at-Home Order was issued on March 28 in response to the growing concern of the COVID-19 virus. The new order will go into effect on May 18.
Businesses included under the order’s provisions include many small businesses and retail stores. This order, however, does not give clearance for the reopening of dine-in restaurants, salons, gyms, and other businesses at this time.
Businesses who are permitted to open under this order must adhere to guidelines to keep customers safe. This includes a social distancing guideline of operating at no more than 50% capacity.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that nearly 37,000 workers will be able to return to work under this new order.
The Governor’s latest order also allows gatherings- including religious centers- for up to ten people.
“The stay-at-home order is expiring, and the dials are turning, but that doesn’t mean we are carefree and can return to the way things were,” Walz stated in his live-streamed address. “It means we have to stay safe, take care, care for our own health and care for our neighbor.”
Gov. Walz continues to advise those who can work from home continue to do so. Additionally, those who are considered to be at-risk should continue sheltering in place to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
Tips For Model Homes
Model homes can resume open house hours once the Stay-At-Home order has been lifted, provided that you and your staff follow the appropriate health and safety measures.
- Create and follow a state-required COVID-19 preparedness plan mandated in the Executive Order.
- We strongly recommend that all hosts and homebuyers in the homes wear masks.
- If possible, we recommend a traffic flow through the home for guests (ie: enter through the front door and exit through the garage (carrying their shoes))
- To reduce the surface contact, consider leaving cabinet doors open, lights on, and roping off small rooms.
- Consider having disposable one-time use gloves available should a buyers request them.
- Consider posting safety cleaning process inside the home for guests to view (ie:. surfaces, door handles, etc. wiped down every hour)
- We suggest you provide taped markers every 6’ on the walkway leading to the home so that if guests need to queue, they are aware of the distance.
- To follow social distancing guidelines within the home as required by the Gov. Walz’s Executive Order, the number of patrons allowed inside should be limited to 10.
Parade of Homes To Resume
Housing First Minnesota is proud to launch the Parade of Homes virtual preview today, Friday, May 15. Model homes will open with limited access on May 28.
The virtual preview will include hundreds of homes from the spring Parade of Homes available with expanded home profiles online showcasing virtual tours through video walkthroughs, 3D tours and photo galleries. As homebuyers explore the homes, they are able to schedule virtual or private appointments with the builders.
Starting May 28, model homes will safely reopen with access limited to 10 people at a time. Builders from the spring Parade of Homes will have homes open 12 – 6 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays through June 14. Following Gov. Walz’s Executive Order 20-56, homebuyers will be able to shop for homes in person with added safety precautions and social distancing measures, along with the additional virtual capabilities.
