COVID-19 Updates from the City of Saint Paul

Like communities across our nation, we’ve been closely monitoring the unfolding of the situation around the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The City is working diligently in responding to the unique needs of our residents, business owners, and key partners and is coordinating closely with public health officials. Learn more about the City’s response at stpaul.gov/coronavirus.

STAY AT HOME EXECUTIVE ORDER GOES INTO EFFECT TONIGHT

Governor Walz has ordered Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs starting tonight at 11:59 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10. What does this mean for residents?

You can go to the grocery store, pharmacy, and medical appointments; get take out, delivery or drive through from restaurants; walk your dog, ride your bike, or be in nature; and pick up essentials for neighbors or loved ones.

You should not go to work unless providing an essential service; socialize or gather in groups; or visit loved ones in the hospital or nursing homes, except under limited circumstances.

Find a list of frequently asked questions about the Governor’s order here.

CITY OF SAINT PAUL UPDATES

• NEW – Anyone who is sick during the COVID-19 crisis should seek medical care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services. It is important that everyone in Saint Paul including non-citizen residents regardless of immigration status obtaining medical care should they become ill. Find more information related to COVID-19 that impact immigrant and refugee communities.
• NEW – The Saint Paul Police Department Headquarters building, located at 367 Grove Street in Saint Paul, closed to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, March 27. It’s scheduled to re-open at 8 a.m. Monday, April 13. Access to the building will be restricted to police department employees and those involved in investigations.
• NEW – All Trade Board Exams for the City of Saint Paul are postponed until the fall of 2020. Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 369.04 (c) allows for issuing a Temporary Certificate of Competency, under specific guidelines, and the City may consider this or other options as alternatives. Learn more here.
• NEW – The City of Saint Paul still plans to celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. We are asking all building owners and operators who want to switch off their lights for the hour, and can do so safely, to do so.

PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

• The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides situation updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.
  Health Questions? Call 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903. This is a state hotline staffed by MDH and will be operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Ramsey County Public Health guidance and resources: Ramsey County COVID-19
• Centers For Disease Control (CDC): COVID-19 basics and frequently asked questions
• Centers For Disease Control (CDC): Are you at higher risk for severe illness?
• NEW – National Foundation for Infectious Diseases – Common Questions about COVID-19 for older adults
• NEW – Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – COVID-19 Advice for Older Adults

Community Recommendations

The Minnesota Department of Health has community recommendations involving employers, assisted living facilities, schools and health care settings and large and small community events and gatherings.

Family Assistance

• NEW – SPPS will provide meals from its food truck every weekday during spring break, March 30-April 3. Unlike the last two weeks, the truck will provide one meal per person, per day. The six locations are the same as this week (Battle Creek, Cherokee Heights, Como Senior, Harding Senior, Highland Park Senior and Johnson Senior), but the times are different. Please visit spps.org/Page/38722 for the full schedule.
• The proposed Saint Paul Bridge Fund hopes to provide $1,000 of direct assistance to eligible families. Learn more here.
• School and Child Care Questions? Call 651-297-1304. This is a state hotline open for school and child care questions for Minnesota residents that is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday of the week.

SMALL BUSINESS & WORKFORCE

• To support Saint Paul’s local restaurants’ operations under the current federal and state guideline, the City is allowing restaurants to use established parking lanes as temporary curbside pick-up zones. Restaurants will be able to post temporary signs for curbside pick-up areas without applying for and paying the usual permit and fees. Posted curbside pick-up signs must be able to be used by any restaurants in the area and does not reserve the parking lane space(s). Learn more here.
• Saint Paul Bridge Fund Eligibility for small businesses: Small business that have 20 or fewer employees, a gross revenue of $2 million or less, been in operation for the last six months in Saint Paul, and had their revenues significantly impacted by at least one of the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders in 2020 are eligible for the Saint Paul Bridge Fund. Grants for immediate assistance can support:
• Rent/mortgage payments
• Employee health benefits
• Leave payments and payroll
• Accounts payables Payments due to suppliers