Edina bans group activities to comply with Gov. Walz’s executive ‘stay at home’ order

The city of Edina announced Sunday that group activities that are not in compliance with obvious physical and social distancing will be banned in Edina until further notice.

According to the city, starting on Monday, March 30 at 8 a.m., group activities such as basketball, soccer and other non-individual sports are not allowed in Edina to comply with Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

What Minnesotans need to know about Gov. Walz’s ‘stay at home’ order

“We had hoped we would see 100% compliance by residents and visitors with the Governor’s Stay at Home order. However, this weekend, we have continued to receive many complaints and reports of large group gatherings, close-contact ball games and lack of social distancing,” said City Manager Scott Neal. “This is not optional. Failure of Minnesotans to comply with this order will result in the metro area reaching peak caseload sooner than medical facilities are able to handle. We all need to do our part.”

Walz’s order, passed in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19, carries penalties of a fine up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. Edina will continue to try and educate people before
Police issue tickets for the misdemeanor.

Also, Neal and emergency personnel urge residents not to call 911 with routine questions about Walz’s order.

These calls can jam the 911 lines used for actual emergency calls. Instead, please call the Minnesota’s State Emergency Operation Center’s hotline at 1-800-657-3504 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.