Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will announce changes to the state's dialed-back COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday, according to a Walz spokesperson.
Teddy Tschann, the governor's communications director said Tuesday night that Walz will unveil a strategy, "that prioritizes in-person learning for elementary students and continues to protect health care capacity by keeping indoor dining at bars and restaurants on pause through the holiday season. This plan will help bridge the gap to vaccination.”
It is expected the gyms will reopen at 25 percent capacity, there will be a loosening of family gathering guidance, and restaurants and bars will remain closed for another three weeks.
WCCO Radio political analyst Blois Olson telling Dave Lee during the WCCO Morning News on Wednesday that outdoor dining is likely to return, to some extent.
"Restaurants and bars invested in heaters and other things to keep people warm, including tents and igloos," Olson said. "The question is if they will be allowed to use those."
Another big question about youth and high school sports lingers. Olson said practices will begin January 4 under the latest guidelines. A lawsuit brought on by Let Them Play Minnesota is scheduled to be heard Wednesday seeks an end to the youth sports pause.
"So there's still a chance that Let Them Play Minnesota could win," Olson said. "The governor's attorneys from the Attorney General's Office have said that the lawsuit could be moot in the matter of days. Technically that's probably true with the January 4 restart."
Earlier this month, the Minnesota State High School League approved a December 21 start date for practices.
"This is a winter sports season that's already been delayed and this delay will likely make it two-months delayed. Frankly, the governor is going to have to justify this."
Governor Walz will discuss the latest COVID-19 strategy during a 1:15 p.m. press conference on Wednesday.
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