COVID 19 Resources
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control
Federal Tax Day Extended Until July 15
State Resources
At this time, we encourage all residents and organizations to stay on top of information by visiting the states website at:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html. While there is a lot of information, this situation has changed rapidly and Minnesota Department of Health has been updating their website frequently. This is the best place to stay on top of news and recommendations moving forward.
This document is a helpful overview of the state resources available to cope with COVID-19, including the state emergency hotlines and information on child care, food access, housing, and more: COVID-19 State Resource Document
Community Mitigation Questions Hotline: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
This hotline can address any school, child care, and business questions. It is staffed by the MN Departments of Education and Human Services, and will be operating from 7AM-7PM.
Health Questions Hotline: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
This hotline is staffed by the MN Department of Health and will be operating from 7AM-7PM.
Unemployment benefits
State Tax Day Extended Until July 15
MNSure Special Enrollment: There will be a 30-day special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. This SEP, which begins Monday, March 23 and runs through April 21, will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure.org. Individuals seeking coverage can visit MNsure.org to complete an application and enroll in coverage. Plans selected by April 21 will have a retroactive coverage start date beginning April 1.
County Resources
Hennepin County emergency help for those in financial crisis (or call 844-803-8466)
Closure of public libraries and other Hennepin County service offices
Hennepin County COVID response
Hennepin County Emergency Programs
City Resources The City of Minneapolis is launching a newsletter with updates and information about coronavirus disease 19, the City’s response and the impacts to our services. It also lists resources for workers, renters, communities and businesses.
Sign up for updates here to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox.
City of Minneapolis COVID response
City of Minneapolis COVID information for small businesses
Information for those with immigration questions and issues
MPRB Closes Lake Harriet Parkway to Traffic; Parkway roads dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic
Utility Updates: Minneapolis water shut offs, as well as electricity shut off by Xcel Energy and natural gas shut offs by CenterPoint Energy have been suspended.
Food Resources
Food shelves and their locations in Minneapolis
Minneapolis student meals pick up information
Meals on Wheels
Lunds & Byerlys sets 7am-8am for shoppers at a higher risk of severe illness
Metro Mobility Delivery Assistance: Certified Metro Mobility riders can now order groceries and goods online from local stores and have Metro Mobility pick them up and deliver for free.
Additional Resources
Metro Transit reduced service
Information for renters
Homes for All COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Resources
Healthcare Worker Childcare through U of MN Medical Student Group
United Way COVID resources
Internet and Online Connectivity Resources
Comcast announces free expanded services
Free City of Minneapolis Public WiFi
Experiences Online:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)
Virtual Art in Bloom (April 23 – 26)
Learn from Home with the Science Museum of Minnesota
Walker Art Center's Living Collections Catalogue
The Theater of Public Policy Spring Season will be livestreamed
Minnesota Orchestra at Home
The St Paul Chamber Orchestra
MinnPost Artscape’s Compilation
Northern Lights’ Spring Howl Virtual Art Experience
DNR Eagle Cam
NatureCams
Podcasts to Stream
Streaming Food Documentaries and Shows
Five Crafts to Learn
Orchestras, Opera and Other Music
Online Cooking Videos
Operation ReadAloud
Things to do with kids while quarantined
At home classes and activities
The National Theatre of London is streaming a new play each week
MSP Film Society Screenings - The MSP Film Society is excited to announce that even though their daily in-house cinema programming is temporarily suspended, they are opening four additional films in their virtual cinema, including 2018 MSPIFF Selection BALLOON, a new digital restoration of Brazilian classic DONA FLOR AND HER TWO HUSBANDS, 2019 TIFF Official Selection ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND and Romanian crime-comedy THE WHISTLERS. They also have extended their screenings of SXSW award winner SAINT FRANCES and 2020 MSPIFF Selection BACURAU for an additional week. In a show of support for the cinema community, Magnolia Pictures, the distributor of ONCE WERE BROTHERS and THE WHISTLERS, is offering these engagements for one-week with 100% of the net proceeds benefiting independent venues and film societies. Magnolia will be launching more titles soon.
Minnesota History - The Minnesota Historical Society has made its award-winning “Northern Lights” Interactive eBook free for all. Featuring 20 chapters exploring the diverse stories of our state, the e-book will be available free of charge through the end of the school year. Published since 1989, the most recent edition of “Northern Lights” is available in print and e-book versions and is used by 85 percent of Minnesota 6th graders to meet state social studies requirements. Available online at mnhs.org/nl or via iPad app (search “MNHS Education” in the app store), the e-book offers a variety of educational tools, including videos, audio narration, interactive maps, additional primary sources and more. After logging into the ebook (universal sign-in info is username: history, password: history), users can learn about everything from Native peoples to women’s suffrage to immigration in Minnesota. Teachers can also request free access to the Annotated Teacher’s Edition of the textbook, containing additional content and activity suggestions. While “Northern Lights” was written for 6th grade students and teachers, it can be used by anyone to learn more about state history. Parents will find a variety of stories, videos, activities and more to engage children of all ages at home.
“Stay In” Guides
https://www.southwestjournal.com/focus/get-out-guide/2020/03/stay-in-guide/
https://www.minnpost.com/arts-culture/2020/03/a-minnpost-stay-at-home-survival-guide-21-things-to-watch-read-and-talk-about-while-you-shelter-in-place/
Resources for Businesses
A helpful site is the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development’s COVID-19 information and resources for businesses COVID-19 update page.
Also, Minnesota small businesses can now apply to the Small Business Administration for loans if they are facing losses from COVID-19.
Online applications for these loans are open to Minnesota businesses at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ A few more details:
Sales tax grace period
Businesses forced to shut down by executive order that have a monthly sales tax payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment. Returns themselves (without payment) should still be filed, however, to avoid penalties or interest. Find out more at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.
Reducing workers hours instead of layoffs
As an alternative to layoffs, employers can reduce employee hours and apply for the Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program to partially offset their pay with unemployment insurance. Those workers can then receive a percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced. See the Shared Work Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
Also, Minnesota small businesses can now apply to the Small Business Administration for loans if they are facing losses from COVID-19.
Online applications for these loans are open to Minnesota businesses at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ A few more details:
- This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits.
- These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The non-profit rate is 2.75%.
- These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.
Sales tax grace period
Businesses forced to shut down by executive order that have a monthly sales tax payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment. Returns themselves (without payment) should still be filed, however, to avoid penalties or interest. Find out more at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.
Reducing workers hours instead of layoffs
As an alternative to layoffs, employers can reduce employee hours and apply for the Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program to partially offset their pay with unemployment insurance. Those workers can then receive a percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced. See the Shared Work Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
