Walz announces new COVID-19 restrictions for bars, restaurants, health clubs, youth sports

Gov. Tim Walz announced a new set of COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday night, limiting bars, restaurants, fitness centers, entertainment venues and youth sports.

The new restrictions include:

• Bars, restaurants, breweries, bowling alleys limited to only take-out and delivery service,
• Gyms and health clubs and indoor entertainment venues closed,
• Indoor and outdoor sports are suspended,
• In-person social gatherings outside of the household are prohibited,
• Wedding receptions, private parties and gatherings are paused.

The new measures go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday and last four weeks — until Dec. 18 — although Walz said an extension is possible.

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Among the businesses not affected by the new restrictions are hair salons, barbershops and retail stores. Places of worship, schools, dental offices and elective surgeries are also not limited further by the new restrictions. Outdoor recreation activities are also still permitted as long as the participants are all from the same household.

"Today marks a somber milestone in the pandemic as we surpass 3,000 Minnesotans lost to COVID-19," Walz said. "This immense loss strikes at the heart of our state. We are at a breaking point. As hospitals near the crisis of turning away new patients, continuing as things are is simply not sustainable. The actions announced today will help prevent more families from losing a loved one and ensure our hospitals can treat those who fall ill. While these actions mean incredible hardship for many, they are the fastest way to recover our economy, keep our kids in school, and get back to the activities we love."

"I know the upcoming holidays make it incredibly difficult to stay home and stay apart, but this is how we keep the people we love safe and healthy," Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan added. "Take it from me, no celebration is worth an empty seat that will never be filled. This dial back will help us do everything we can to make sure our tables are full next year."

According to Wednesday’s report from the Minnesota Department of Health, more than 1,700 hospital beds are in use by COVID-19 patients, with 350 of them in intensive care. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 36% in the past week alone.

MDH also reported a record-high 67 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday as the number of cases continues to climb.

Walz noted it took Minnesota 29 weeks to reach its first 100,000 COVID-19 cases but just six additional weeks to reach 200,000 cases. The state is on track to reach 300,000 cases next week, which would be less than three weeks since the 200,000-case milestone.

Click the video box below to watch the governor’s full address.

Walz also held a press call with reporters to answer questions about the restrictions, which can be heard below.