Current COVID-19 Guidelines for Restaurants & Bars:
Governor Walz dialed back restrictions in Executive Order 21-11 on restaurants and bars, announcing new COVID guidelines that will take effect March 15, 2021, at 12 p.m.:
- On-site dining must be closed between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
- Takeout, delivery, and other service for off-site consumption may continue during the hours that onsite dining is closed.
- No more than six customers may be seated together at any one time.
- In a bar area, no more than four customers may be seated together at any one time.
- Social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained between parties seated at tables, bars, or counters.
- All patrons must wear masks when not eating or drinking.
Occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas through March 31, 2021:
- Ensure social distancing of 6 feet can be maintained between customers in different parties.
- Occupancy of any indoor space must not exceed 75% of the normal occupant capacity, up to a maximum of 250 people.
- Occupancy of any outdoor space must not exceed 250 people.
- Individual seating areas designated for shared use (e.g., food court or food hall seating) by customers of food businesses in mixed-use retail settings such as malls are limited to 75% of their normal occupant capacity, with a maximum of 250 seats.
For definitions of "indoor" and "outdoor" areas, please refer to pages 3 & 4 of the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for Restaurants and Bars.
Beginning April 1, restaurants and bars with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people, per applicable percentage limits and guidance.
To see occupancy limit changes for indoor and outdoor use starting April 1, please refer to the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for Restaurants and Bars.
Please visit https://staysafe.mn.gov for the latest guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Current COVID-19 Guidelines for Pools and Spas
Governor Walz dialed back restrictions last week in Executive Order 21-11 announcing the following new COVID-19 guidelines that took effect yesterday, March 15, 2021, at noon:
- Occupancy of public pool enclosures must not exceed 50% of the normal occupant capacity, not to exceed 250 people.
- If a pool is located within a place of public accommodation with limited occupancy, such as a fitness center, the occupants of a pool must be counted toward the overall occupancy of the place of public accommodation.
- Six feet of social distancing for patrons from different households is required while in the pool and while on the deck (for example, while preparing to enter the pool or waiting in line for a slide).
- Spa pools may open, but steam rooms and saunas must remain closed until further notice.
For more information, refer to MDH's COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Guidance Document for Public Pools.
Beginning April 1, pools and swim parks with sufficient normal occupant capacity may exceed 250 people per applicable percentage limits and guidance for the venue, as seen in the indoor and outdoor venue guidance.
Use the Venue Occupancy Calculator to calculate reduced capacity of your facility/venue after April 1.
