The Minnesota Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation to allow all businesses to operate without restriction as long as the business owner maintains a COVID safety preparedness plan. This will allow Minnesota businesses to open their doors at their own pace while providing all the safety possible for employees and customers. 

“Businesses across Minnesota have been hammered by the governor’s shutdown orders,” said Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault). “Local businesses, including and especially hospitality businesses, are among those who have suffered the most, but it doesn’t have to be that way. They know how to operate safely. They should be allowed to open their doors using the same safety measures as the big box stores. We’ve got to get people back to work.” 

Instead of the arbitrary restrictions put in place by the governor, this bill will give the power back to individual business owners and workers to decide what measures they need to operate their business safely. 

The bill would prohibit a Governor from closing businesses by Executive Order unless there is a majority vote of the legislature. It would also require a notice of 14 days after a vote before taking effect, giving businesses ample time to prepare for the shutdown.

Minnesota’s economy has suffered dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. The Minneapolis Federal Reserve reports that employment is down 8% from the previous year and that labor force participation is down from pre-pandemic levels. Unemployment also remains above pre-pandemic levels at 4.4% in December 20 vs. 3.3% in December 19. 

The pandemic has been particularly severe for small businesses and Minnesota’s hospitality industry. The Star Tribune reported recently on the particularly deep hole that hospitality businesses are in, noting that many workers are living on the edge, unsure if their jobs will return or how they will make ends meet.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that 1 in 5 small business owners was at risk of closing due to economic conditions. Additionally, nearly 100 restaurants closed in the Twin Cities metro in 2020. More than half of restaurants report they face insolvency in the next few months if things don’t improve.