Republican lawmakers, business owners push for looser restrictions

While hundreds of businesses welcomed employees back through their doors Monday, some Senate Republicans and small business owners say it’s not enough.

During a socially-distanced meeting at the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, led the way – continuing a dialogue of urgency directed at Gov. Tim Walz. By his side was Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, business owners and a pastor. Their goal was to let the governor, and the state, know they’re ready to open their doors, safely.

A big focus of the meeting was the safety of customers. Points were also made that the state has suffered enough and that social distancing efforts have been done successfully.

"I want everyone one to understand their efforts at social distancing have pushed the peak out," Gazelka stated in a press release.

"We have enough PPE for our frontline workers, we have enough ICU beds to handle the surge, and we have the daily testing capacity to handle hotspots. We’re ready," he added.

The business owners included owners of restaurants, theaters and salons – a pastor from a small church in Eden Prairie also shared. All had a plan to keep employees, customers and worshipers safe. By following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and adjusting to their own environments, all would like to reopen their doors soon.

Andrew Hulse, owner of 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons in Maple Grove and Wayzata, was one of the speakers. Not only does he have plans in place, but he mentioned his staff is already trained (by law) to know how to handle the public safely when dealing with hygiene and sanitation.

Hulse’s safety plan includes:

• Everyone wearing a mask.
• Taking temperatures when people arrive.
• Eliminating waiting areas.
• Changing the services it offers (including eliminating shaves).
• Following CDC guidelines (including proper social distancing).

With those plans and the training his employees already have, Hulse feels people would be safer inside his salons than in big box stores that are open now.

"I’ve submitted these plans to anywhere I could find," Hulse said. "Through DEED, through the governor’s office … and I have yet to hear anything back," he added with frustration.

Gazelka said he had four phone calls with the governor over the weekend. While he didn’t say the two talked specifically about opening these kinds of businesses, he did say the conversations were productive. A big focus was on figuring out a way for legislators and Walz to work together with a goal to allow more people to get back to work, safely.