Coronavirus COVID-19

The City of Saint Paul is partnering with the State of Minnesota on a new rental assistance program called COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance, which is operating under the banner of RentHelpMN. It will help eligible renters with overdue rent since April 2020, up to three months of upcoming rent at a time, and related utility payments. The program will be open for applications in the coming weeks.

Minnesota Housing will be hosting two information sessions to help landlords and renters get ready for program launch. Click the links to register.

• Tuesday, March 30 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

• Wednesday, March 31 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

Executive order 2020-09 requires face masks to be worn indoors in all city-controlled facilities and at all businesses licensed by the City of Saint Paul at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained.  

The order will apply to all individuals except young children at risk of suffocation and persons who cannot medically tolerate wearing a face covering. Acceptable face coverings include manufactured or homemade cloth face coverings, and are not required to be medical-grade masks.  Face coverings must fully cover a person’s nose and mouth.  

All businesses in Saint Paul are also strongly encouraged to include a requirement that all individuals wear a face covering at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained in their COVID-19 Preparedness Plan under Governor Walz’ Executive Order 20-56.

• La ciudad de Saint Paul ha acordado una política de cobertura de cara que esta vigente a partir del 1ero de Junio. Esta política requiere que toda persona que visite una de las locaciones en control de la ciudad y cualquier negocio que tenga una licencia de la ciudad use una mascarilla de cara cuando no sea posible mantener la distancia de al menos 6 feet/2 metros entre personas.
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• Nidaamka daboolaya wajiyada Magaalada  ayaa dhaqan galay Juun 1.  Siyaasaddu waxay u baahan tahay waji-bixin wajiga in lagu xiro gudaha dhammaan xarumaha magaalada laga xukumo iyo dhammaan meheradaha ay Ruqsad ka siisay Magaalada marwalba markii fogeynta bulshada ugu yaraan 6 fuudh aan la ilaalin karin.
• Imaamatni magaalaa ‘Saint Paul’ fuula aguuggachuu ilaallatu Waxabajjii 1 irraa eegalee raawwatamaa jira. Imaamatni kun manneen fi bakka daldalaa magaalichan to’ataman akkasumas hayyama qaban keessatti yeroo miilla 6 wal irraa fagaachuun mijataa hintaanetti maskii fuulaa uffachuu dirqisiisa.

Mayor Carter has announced a set of fine, fee and collection relief measures in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 affecting businesses and residents. The measures include a reduction in business license fees, business license renewal extensions, suspending all dunning and collection processes through June 30th, and delaying multi-year street assessments that would be levied this year until 2021. Learn more about these measures.

Mayor Melvin Carter announced today the launch of a local consumer financial protection planning effort in partnership with the national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Saint Paul will begin planning a communications campaign to raise consumer awareness of and protect residents from COVID-19 related scams and continue planning in the coming months for broader consumer financial protection capabilities within the City

To address growing food insecurity in Saint Paul due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is partnering with Youthprise, Arts-Us, and the Sanneh Foundation to provide free meal service to Saint Paul families in need. Learn more at stpaul.gov/free-meals.

The City of Saint Paul is grateful for all of the community members who have expressed interest in donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to assist the City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is currently accepting donations for some items. Donations must be in unopened, original packaging in accordance with approved medical standards. Learn more and get involved.

The Saint Paul City Council invites the community to view Council meetings online amid COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public may view City Council meetings online at stpaul.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx or on local cable Channel 18.

The public may comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and materials submitted by noon of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us, CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805. 

• Most library Saint Paul Public Library locations offer Library Express services which include picking up requested items; checking out books, DVDs, and music, and using the copy, scan, fax, and express print services. Learn more at sppl.org/libraryexpress.
• George Latimer Central and Hamline Midway locations continue to offer contactless pickup. Learn more at sppl.org/contactless.
• Saint Paul Public Library is offering computer access at select locations. Call 651-266-7000, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or Saturday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an hour to use the computer with internet and printer access. Find more information at sppl.org/computers-technology/. 
• The library's Bookmobile visits 30 locations a month to offer and contactless holds pickup and free wi-fi access, powered by Verizon. Please visit sppl.org/bookmobile for more details.
• Virtual Career Lab offered by Saint Paul Public Library provides services to Saint Paul residents as they seek employment, build career skills, and navigate career transitions. This new virtual option has call-in hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. No appointments are needed; call 651-266-7029, and one of our Technology Skills Instructors will assist you over the phone. Resources include: 
  • Tips on writing your resume or cover letter
  • Job search boards/career fairs
  • Setting up/troubleshooting your technology for remote work/virtual interviews
  • Referrals to adult education classes and digital literacy assessments
  • Career Labs also offer in-person support (appointments required)

Find the latest information about the status of Parks and Recreation amenities, programs, and facilities at www.stpaul.gov/parks-covid19. 

The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) is adapting its services to align with public health official guidelines.

Customers will be able to drop off paperwork and payments and pick up plans by using a drop-box at our office at 375 Jackson Street, Ste. 220, Saint Paul. Please call 651-266-8989 before traveling downtown to determine if you need to come to our offices. Lobby hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; however, calls are taken from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

We also encourage you to check out alternate ways to conduct your business with DSI online.  Field inspections and complaint follow-ups are ongoing, in alignment with official public health guidance. 

Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ drinking water treatment process effectively safeguards from viruses such as the flu virus and the coronavirus. Learn more at stpaul.gov/water.

Water shut offs due to inability to pay the water bill are suspended until further notice.

Water shut offs due to a failure to respond to a code violation notification are in place.

Temporary water shut offs due to construction or emergency maintenance activities continue during this time.
Water service will be restored as soon possible during construction or emergency maintenance events.