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Governor Walz has announced Executive Order 20-81, a statewide mask mandate that will go into effect today, Saturday, July 25.
The executive order requires Minnesotans to wear a face covering in indoor businesses and indoor public settings. Under the order, businesses must require that all persons -- including workers, customers, and visitors -- wear face coverings and take reasonable steps to enforce the requirement. There are other requirements for businesses; those can be found here under "Businesses' obligations under the Executive Order."
Commissioner Steve Grove announced that DEED and the Department of Administration are working with chambers of commerce across the state to supply businesses with masks. St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce has received a one-time shipment of disposable masks to distribute to businesses in Ramsey County.
If you are a business in Ramsey county, masks may be picked up at any of the following locations. Your business does not need to be a Chamber member.
To ensure we reach as many companies as possible, we are working to limit distribution to 1 box of 50 masks per company.
NOTE: THESE ARE MERELY DISTRIBUTION POINTS; ALL RAMSEY COUNTY BUSINESSES ARE WELCOME AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
SAINT PAUL
Saint Paul RiverCentre will have masks available for pick up at the Kellogg lobby starting on Monday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Businesses can drive up to valet parking on Kellogg Boulevard; volunteers will be ready to provide masks. Questions can be addressed to Staci Christensen from SPACC at 651-265-2775.
In addition to pick up availability, Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul will be doing direct distribution to BIPOC businesses in the area. Questions can be addressed to Prince Corbett, at racialequity@ramseycounty.us or Clare Verbeten at Clare.Verbeten@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
ROSEVILLE
A mask distribution center is being set up in the north parking lot at the Roseville OVAL. Starting on Monday, masks will be available 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Click here for a map. Questions can be addressed to Pat Trudgeon, Roseville City Manager, at 651-792-7021 or pat.trudgeon@cityofroseville.com.
MAPLEWOOD
Masks will be distributed in the parking lot at the southeast corner of the Maplewood Mall (between Sears and JCPenney) starting on Monday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Click here for a photo. In addition to pickup availability, Maplewood departments of Public Health and Public Safety will be doing direct distribution to BIOPC businesses in the area. Questions can be addressed to Maplewood Fire Chief Steve Lukin at 651-775-7316.
NORTH RAMSEY COUNTY
The White Bear Area Chamber (representing the cities of White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Mahtomedi, White Bear Township, Hugo, Dellwood, North Oaks, Gem Lake, Willernie, Birchwood) will distribute masks at the Chamber office starting on Monday between the hours of 9:00am - 4:00pm. The Chamber office address is 4751 Highway 61, White Bear Lake. For safety reasons, they are asking for businesses to schedule pick-up times. Appointments can be requested through their website: http://www.whitebearchamber.com/
All locations will start distribution on Monday and continue into Tuesday and Wednesday or until the available supply of masks runs out.
Plans for other counties all over the state are in progress as well.
Washington County: Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce is the lead, and is working with partners so businesses can pick up in their community. Watch for communications from the Oakdale, Stillwater, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake and White Bear Chambers on pick up locations and time.
Dakota County: Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is the lead.
Hennepin County: Minneapolis Regional Chamber is the lead.
Face coverings are one way to promote safety and boost consumer confidence, which is essential for our economy to re-open and stay open. Especially in the absence of any sort of liability protection for businesses, requiring all of your customers and workers to wear a mask is one thing we can do to keep our businesses open and our economy in recovery mode.
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