Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday morning that he is in self-quarantine at the Governor’s Residence after contacting someone with the coronavirus.
“After learning I had contact with someone who has COVID-19, I plan to lead by example and work from home. I currently have no symptoms and will continue working tirelessly to combat the spread of COVID-19,” Walz said on Twitter.
After learning I had contact with someone who has COVID-19, I plan to lead by example and work from home. I currently have no symptoms and will continue working tirelessly to combat the spread of COVID-19. #StayHomeMN
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) March 23, 2020
He later revealed that a member of his “dedicated” security detail tested positive for COVID-19 late Sunday night.
“He did everything exactly right. I had been with him a few days prior, so according to the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health regulations, I am self-quarantined with my family here. We are operating everything as normal,” the governor said in a video message later in the day.
This isn’t a typical Monday morning but we’re still hard at work to combat the #COVIDー19 crisis. Minnesotans have been through long winters before, we’ll get through this one like we always do, together. Be safe, and #StayHomeMN. pic.twitter.com/C0PsPyqIQo
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) March 23, 2020
Walz said his administration has the capacity to conduct all of its work from home and he is now holding his daily press briefings on the virus over the phone.
“We are continuing to drive on. We will be issuing some important executive orders today protecting Minnesotans’ businesses and protecting individuals in their homes,” he added. “Minnesotans have been through long winters before. We’ll get through this one, we’ll get through it together.”
Walz’s office said in a press release that the governor will remain in self-quarantine until Monday, April 6. The CDC recommends that individuals who have contact with a COVID-19 case self-quarantine for 14 days.
“I’m grateful for the State of Minnesota’s sophisticated emergency management operation that allows me to govern and respond to crises from the Minnesota Governor’s Residence,” Walz said in a statement. “We will continue to communicate with Minnesotans about our quick and aggressive work to combat the spread of COVID-19.”
The governor is urging all Minnesotans to stay home and said Friday that a statewide shelter-in-place order is possible. Walz signed an executive order Saturday activating the Minnesota National Guard to help with the distribution of medical equipment.
He signed four new executive orders Monday afternoon that suspended evictions during the pandemic, established peacetime emergency loans for small businesses, directed non-hospital entities to conduct an inventory of personal protective equipment, and clarified that a previous order suspending elective surgeries applies to veterinarians.
As of Monday, Minnesota had 235 confirmed COVID-19 cases, up 66 from Sunday’s total caseload.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
