Coronavirus COVID-19
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. We’ll be sending regular email updates about the City’s response to COVID-19. Please subscribe to our COVID-19 bulletin.
If you have questions about the City's response to COVID-19, call 651-266-6000 or email LanguageResources@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Translators are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions in Hmong, Somali, Oromo, Karen, and Spanish.
- Magaalada St.Paul waxaa loo sameyay meel cusub oo layska soo waco sida looga jowaabo su’aalaha ku saabsan COVID-19. Soo wac 651-266-6000.
- Lub nroog Saint Paul muaj ib tug xovtooj tshiab los teb nej cov lus noog txog tus kabmob Covid-19. Hu rau 651-266-6000.
- La ciudad de Saint Paul tiene una nueva línea telefónica para responder a preguntas sobre la respuesta de la ciudad al coronavirus COVID-19. Llama a 651-266-6000.
- Magaalaan Seent Pool Vaayirasii Koronaa COVID-19 ilaalchisee gaaffiiqabdaniif deebii kennuudhaaf toora bilbilaa haaraa baaseera. 651-266-6000.
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City of Saint Paul Response Department Updates Stay at Home Order Information
City of Saint Paul Response
The City of Saint Paul government continues to provide services and respond to the needs of our community in alignment with both the Governor's Stay-At-Home order and guidance from public health officials. We’ll be sending regular email updates about the City’s response to COVID-19. Subscribe to our COVID-19 bulletin.
Face coverings required in City-controlled facilities and in licensed businesses starting June 1
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.
Fine, Fee, and Collection Relief Measures
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 here.
City of Saint Paul Meal Service
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 through June 5 to Saint Paul families in need. Learn more at stpaul.gov/parks-covid19.
Personal Protective Equipment Donations
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.
Bridge Fund Updates
Following the close of the applications on Sunday, April 19 at 5 p.m., all family and small business grant applicants were placed into a random selection process which assigned each application a random number for each program. The review and disbursement process will proceed in the coming days and weeks until all City funds and funds donated by the community are distributed. Learn more at stpaul.gov.
Community members can donate to the Saint Paul Bridge Fund on GiveMN. Donations will increase the number of families and small businesses that receive funds through the program.
Road Closures
Find the latest road closure information using the City's interactive road closure map.
- Mayor Carter announces the closure of the southbound lane of Mississippi River Boulevard to allow for more social distancing for pedestrians and bicyclists. Beginning tomorrow, April 23, Mississippi River Boulevard and East River Road will only allow northbound vehicle traffic from Ford Parkway to Franklin Avenue.
- In accordance with the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order 20-20, Saint Paul continues to follow all public health and safety guidelines to support people safely enjoying the outdoors and public spaces.
- The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board recently implemented a lane restriction of West River Parkway from 46th Avenue South to 11th Avenue South on the western side of the Mississippi River.
- Learn more at at stpaul.gov/parks-covid19.
- Parks and Recreation will begin a three-month trail reconstruction project at Indian Mounds Regional Park. During the project, lanes or full sections of Mounds Boulevard will be closed to vehicle traffic, but open to pedestrians and bicyclist to recreate while following social distancing guidelines during construction. Sections of trails and greenspaces within the park will be closed to the public for safety reasons during the three phases of the project. See the tentative closure timelines at www.stpaul.gov/IndianMoundsTrail
- Mayor Carter announced the partial closure of three city streets to vehicle traffic to accommodate public health official guidance on social distancing. The closures will support walking and biking in and around three City of Saint Paul parks areas including Como Regional Park, Phalen Regional Park, and Cherokee Regional Park.These road closures are effective as of 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 3. The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic until further notice:
- Como Regional Park -- East Como Lake Drive from East Como Boulevard to Lexington Parkway
- Phalen Regional Park -- East Shore Drive from Johnson Parkway to Arlington Avenue
- Cherokee Regional Park -- Cherokee Heights Boulevard from Baker/Chippewa to Annapolis
These closures come in response to resident requests for greater ability to practice social distancing while outdoors. These roads were identified as areas where closures would not impact emergency and essential service traffic amid the Governor’s Stay At Home order.
Department Updates
Fire
All Saint Paul Fire Department fire stations remain fully operational, but are closed to the public at this time. The following activities have been canceled or postponed:
- All participation in community engagement events has been canceled.
- Safe Haven smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installations and home safety surveys have been postponed.
- All child passenger safety seat inspections and trainings have been canceled.
- Walk-in blood pressure checks at fire stations are not available.
The Saint Paul Fire Department participated in Governor Walz’s statewide homemade mask drive on Saturday, April 25. Saint Paul residents donated an incredible 7,400 homemade masks to their local fire stations.
Libraries
All Saint Paul Public Library locations are closed to the public; learn about modified services at sppl.org/staying-in. The library is now offering contactless pickup at 5 locations: George Latimer Central, Highland Park, Merriam Park, Rondo, and Sun Ray libraries. Contactless pickup is a convenient, safe, and personalized way to access materials. Learn more at sppl.org/contactless.
Parks and Recreation
- All Parks & Recreation facilities are closed to the public. All Saint Paul Parks and Recreation events, rentals, programs, and activities are canceled through Sunday, May 10. For additional information, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks-covid19. Saint Paul’s parks and open spaces remain open for public use, and we continue to monitor guidance from public health officials. If you plan to visit a park, we encourage all users to observe social distancing of 6 ft and other CDC recommendations outlined on www.stpaul.gov/parks-covid19.
- Playgrounds and skate parks are closed. Most sports courts are closed, but some basketball and tennis courts are being reopened as part of the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department’s Rec Engagement Crew (R.E.C) Pilot Program.
- In accordance with Governor Walz's Executive Order 20-38, Como, Phalen, and Highland National Golf Courses are now open. Golfers must maintain at least a 6ft distance from anyone outside their household at all times.
- To address growing food insecurity in Saint Paul due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parks and Recreation is partnering with Youthprise, Arts-Us, and the Sanneh Foundation to provide free meal service through June 5 to Saint Paul families in need. Learn more at stpaul.gov/parks-covid19.
Police
- The Saint Paul Police Department Headquarters building, located at 367 Grove Street in Saint Paul, will close to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, March 26. 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.
- Safe Summer Nights canceled. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the Saint Paul Police Department is canceling the Safe Summer Nights cookouts that had been planned for June at the following locations:
- June 11: Duluth and Case Recreation Center
- June 18: McDonough Recreation Center
- June 23: Bridge View School
- June 25: MLK Recreation Center
Public Works
- Saint Paul Public Works is suspending all sales of Residential Parking Permits until further notice. No Residential Parking Permits, including Visitor, Hangtags, and Day Passes in any Parking Permit Area will be sold at this time. For questions or more information, call 651-266-9777 during normal business hours or visit stpaul.gov/parkingpermits.
- The annual Citywide Drop-Off events, originally scheduled for June 6 and 20 have been cancelled. Saint Paul continues to work with district councils to plan and prepare for the September Citywide Drop-Off Events. For more information and updates, visit www.stpaul.gov/drop-offs.
Safety & Inspections
- 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. 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.
- Mayor Carter has issued Executive Order 2020-05 allowing building owners connected to the Saint Paul skyway system to reduce daily hours of operation for their skyway section to 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The order allows downtown residents and essential workers to continue to move between buildings and access facilities during typical business hours amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The order remains in effect until the end of the declared local emergency.
- To reduce skyway hours within their buildings, property owners must post signage noting the new temporary operating hours of that section of the skyway.
- For information, call 651-266-8989 or email DSI-InformationAndComplaints@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Water
Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ drinking water treatment process effectively safeguards from viruses such as the flu virus and the coronavirus. Learn more: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/water-services/coronavirus-covid-19-information. Saint Paul Regional Water Services will continue the suspension of water shut offs for an additional 30 days. Temporary water shut offs due to construction or emergency maintenance activities may continue during this time; water service will be restored as soon possible during these events.
City Hall Annex (25 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102) is closed to the public effective at 5 p.m. on March 27.
State of Minnesota Response
To report a potential violation of the Governor’s orders, please email SAHviolations@state.mn.us or call 651-793-3746.
The State has created a chart that outlines Minnesota's phased-in approach to reopening various business and social settings. Facial coverings are strongly recommended at all times, and all non-Critical Sector businesses are required to have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
PHASE 1: MAY 18-JUNE 1 (current phase)
OPEN (with restrictions)
- Social Settings: Gatherings of 10 or less; Drive-in gatherings per Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines
- Critical Businesses: Open (must telework if you can)
- Non-critical Businesses (non-customer facing): Open (must telework if you can, must have COVID-19 preparedness plan)
- Retail: Open (50% capacity, must have COVID-19 preparedness plan)
- Restaurants and Bars: Delivery and Take Out Only
- Outdoor entertainment (movies in the park, concerts, etc.): Drive-in events per MDH Guidelines
- Rec Sports and Youth Programming: Open per MDH guidance (no games)
- Outdoor Recreation Activities and Facilities: Open per DNR's Outdoor Recreation Guidelines
- Places of Worship, religious services, weddings, and funerals: Indoors are allowed with a capacity of 10 or less; outdoors with a capacity of 10 or less, or drive-in services per MDH guidelines
Find MDH guidelines for business sectors here.
CLOSED
- Personal services (salons, tattoos, barbershops) - opens with restrictions on June 1 for Phase II
- Campgrounds and charter boats - opens with restrictions on June 1 for Phase II
- Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, martial arts
- Entertainment (bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades, theaters)
- Large public gatherings (festivals, sporting events, large concerts)
PHASE II: STARTING JUNE 1
OPEN (in addition to Phase I)
- Restaurants and Bars: Outdoor spaces are permitted to open. 6 ft of distance must be maintained and capacity cannot exceed 50 customers. Reservations are required. Masks are required for workers and are strongly recommended for customers.
- Personal services (salons, tattoos, barbershops): 6 ft of distance must be maintained at 25% capacity. Appointments and masks are required for workers and customers.
- Campgrounds and charter boats: Open with guidance.
CLOSED
- Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, martial arts
- Entertainment (bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades, theaters)
- Large public gatherings (festivals, sporting events, large concerts)
Elections
Request an absentee ballot for August and November elections. Voting by mail is safe, easy and convenient. All voters can vote early in Minnesota. You do not need to provide a reason to vote by mail. You can request your ballot now for both the state primary and general election.
- First, register to vote or check your registration status on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
- Request an absentee ballot here.
- Voted ballots must be received by the Elections Office before 3 p.m on Tuesday, Aug.11 for the state primary and before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for the general election.
Situational Knowledge
- FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-19. Learn more about Coronavirus scams from the Federal Trade Commission. Tips for avoiding these scams:
- Hang up on robocalls.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails asking for personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails that claim a positive COVID-19 test within your workplace.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.