You all received an email yesterday sharing more COVID related items,including the new state mask mandate. Below is more details information on that. Be sure to read that email closely as there was information about local grant dollars available to businesses effected by COVID as well. More to come on that as the City creates the application process.
LET'S TALK MASKS!
Executive Order 20-81 implements a statewide mask mandate.
Beginning July 25, 2020 all Minnesotans will be required to wear a mask in all public indoor spaces
and
businesses, including when waiting to enter, unless alone. The mandate also requires workers to wear a mask when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
The Governor said that in the long run, the mask requirement is the quickest way to ending the COVID-19 pandemic - adding that it is an economic key to ensuring that businesses are open and stay open.
Might be easier to read when a face covering is NOT required before asking questions as to whether it is. In most cases - you should wear one when around others indoors unless you are alone.
See Executive Order and information here:
Mask Distribution - 58,000 arriving here!
The Department of Administration has procured 4 million disposable masks which will be distributed to local Chambers of Commerce in all 87 counties across the state for distribution. Our Buffalo Chamber is receiving all the mask for Wright County Businesses. We are working with Delano, Monticello, Maple Lake, Annandale, Montrose, Howard Lake, Waverly, STMA, and more to be sure each community gets what they need. We will have a one or two day distribution set up sometime late next week for you, our Buffalo members, to pick up masks you need for your business. Mostly these are for public facing businesses and their guests, but also if you are not socially distanced at your work indoors, they are for you too.
Keep an eye out for an email from us next week regarding distribution details.
In the meantime, if you have a count of how many you would like, shoot me a quick email. This is a one time drop of masks and is not meant to last forever but a good way to help us all get started in what will become the new normal for a while.
Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering are exempt from the order. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who have a medical condition that compromises their ability to breathe, and individuals who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. These individuals should consider using alternatives to face coverings, including clear face shields, and staying at home as much as possible. Children who are five-years-old and under are also exempt. Those who are under two-years-old should never wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation.
Businesses are not meant to question the validity of these conditions and are to handle a non-compliant customer who may be disruptive, just as you would any other disruptive guest if not wearing one. We are not to be mask police - the goal is to get everyone used to the change. The statement was made "we would like to see police handing out masks vs tickets" and in fact law enforcement will be given masks to people who need one. Governor Walz stated that it's not a crime not to wear a mask - it's just not very neighborly. To have teeth the order, however, any individual who willfully violates this Executive Order is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and upon conviction can be punished by a fine not to exceed $100. Businesses willfully violating this Executive Order are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail. The Attorney General, as well as city and county attorneys, may also seek civil penalties from businesses who are in violation of this Executive Order.”
Update your business preparedness plan!
Be sure to now include your mask wearing implementation/process into your Business Preparedness Plan.
Post a sign on your door!
Post a sign stating masks required. I think it's best to have your logo/flavor of business on it, so you can create your own. I will send out options in future communication, but didn't see a nice one to print just year. There is the poster below to show employees how to wear and take care of the masks. Much can be found at
https://staysafe.mn.gov/
.
How to best wear a mask: