MNLA Members,
On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, Governor Tim Walz announced an extension to his “stay-at-home” directive in
Executive Order 20-33
. MNLA applauds the Governor for taking a different approach than other states by enabling work sectors to resume operation in a step-by-step fashion. In this new order,
Governor Walz states in his worker definitions that Green Industry professionals can return to work, including landscapers, lawn care, garden centers, and other green industry businesses.
This new order will take effect at 11:59 on April 8, 2020 and will be in effect until 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 3, 2020. Further details on the order can be
found here
:
- Wholesale nursery grower production – exempt under “agriculture guidelines”
- Retail nurseries and garden centers – exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33 (MDA Guidelines: guidance can be found by clicking here).
- Greenhouse (commercial flower) grower production – exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Irrigation services - exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Lawn Care services – exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Landscape management services – exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Professional gardening services - exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Commercial arborists and tree care services - exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Snow and ice management services – exempt under revised guidance of EO 20-33
- Wholesale sales for construction or maintenance - is exempt under NACIS codes including but not limited to 4233 "Lumber and Other Construction Materials" and 4249 "Misc. Non-Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers.")
- Florists – delivery only
- Golf courses – can conduct maintenance
ADVOCACY UPDATE
This reclassification of Green Industry businesses as “essential” follows an intense grassroots and lobbying push by MNLA staff, members, stakeholders, and green industry businesses and workers throughout the state. Thank you to everyone who reached out to the Governor’s office, to State Senators and Representatives, and to the agencies to encourage them to classify Green Industry businesses as essential. Each letter and communication made this positive outcome possible.
Thank you, MNLA members!
Now, we owe a thank you to those who worked with us to help make this change possible. MNLA will be
crafting a THANK YOU
note to the governor, legislators and others who helped make this change possible. We would like to list as many company names as possible on the THANK YOU letter. If you’d like us to list your company name please send an e-mail to
[email protected]
to be included on the company listing that goes with the letter no later than Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Midnight. We will compile the names and send the letter on Monday, April 13, 2020.
IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL!
As Green Industry businesses and workers return to job sites, garden centers, and other areas of work, care must be taken by each business and worker to ensure social distancing, hygiene, sanitation, and best practice to ensure that COVID-19 does not spread.
As the governor mentioned, MDA has issued specific guidance for Retail Garden Centers to use as they begin contemplating opening again to the public. That
guidance can be found by clicking here
.
Current best practices for landscapers, lawn care, and other industry segments can be found on the
MNLA COVID-19 website by clicking here
. Check back frequently to stay up to date on changing best practices. We all play a role in helping stop the spread of this virus, and the Green Industry will lead the way and set an example for how to safely and responsibly operate during this time of crisis.
Tim Malooly, Water in Motion
MNLA President
