On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that provides funding to combat a potential COVID-19 virus outbreak in Minnesota. The legislation, authored by Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud), passed the committee with bipartisan support.

“The health, safety, and wellbeing of all Minnesotans is our highest priority. Health officials from around the country and world are telling us we need to be prepared. I believe we would be very wise to heed that advice,” said Senator Relph. “This is a bipartisan bill that makes sure we will be ready if and when the novel coronavirus reaches Minnesota. We’re talking about a public health crisis that is on the verge of becoming a worldwide pandemic. We must be prepared.”  

Senate File 3813 appropriates $20.889 million to the Public Health Response Emergency Account. In the event the funds go unused or are reimbursed by the federal government, the money will automatically transfer back to the general fund. Committee members were also briefed by state epidemiological officials on the situation and mitigation plans moving forward. State health officials will only be able to use the funds to support disease investigation, monitor potential cluster outbreaks, provide information to the public, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis.

While there are currently no confirmed infections in Minnesota, temporary travel restrictions at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport are in place and many businesses are halting international travel. State and local officials are also working on contingency plans that can be implemented if deemed necessary.

The legislation now awaits action by the full Senate.

“It is critical that medical professionals and public health workers have the tools they need to implement preventive measures and, if needed, provide the best care as possible. It’s always better to be safe than sorry – and that’s why I believe there is an urgency to get this done right.” 

Senator Jerry Relph represents St. Cloud, Waite Park, and St. Augusta in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as vice chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee.