Walz to convene special session on Thursday, extend peacetime emergency
The sun shines on the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Wednesday, May 15, 2019.[AP Photo/Steve Karnowski]
Gov. Tim Walz says he will convene another special session of the Minnesota Legislature on Thursday.
With climbing COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Minnesota, Walz said he intends to extend the state’s COVID-19 peacetime emergency by another 30 days to ensure the ability to quickly respond to the pandemic.
"This is a dangerous phase of this pandemic. We’re in the midst of a surge in case positivity and hospitalizations," Walz said in a statement. "Extending the Peacetime Emergency will help ensure we have the tools we need to respond quickly to protect Minnesotans’ health and well-being."
"We are still in an emergency, and it’s getting more urgent," said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan added. "With positivity rates, hospitalizations, and deaths rising, we have to be prepared to protect Minnesotans over this long winter."
The announcement comes after a week of record-setting highs in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced 19 new deaths from COVID-19 and 3,930 newly reported cases.