Minnesota Governor Issues 4 Orders Related To Coronavirus

MINNESOTA — This week, Gov. Tim Walz issued four executive orders in an attempt to provide support to healthcare providers, commercial drivers, local governments and constitutional officers who are responding to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.

Health-related licensing boards are being given more flexibility in how, and to whom, they issue licenses. The goal is to prevent health care workers from losing their licenses during the pandemic. Continuing education requirements, fingerprinting protocols and other measures are being temporarily suspended during the pandemic.

The order also allows the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy to place limits on how chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are dispensed, to prevent shortages of the medication. Both drugs have recently been touted by President Donald Trump for their possible use in treating COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is on the White House's coronavirus task force and is a renowned infectious disease expert, has said there is only anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of the two drugs.

Walz also issued orders impacting financial reports for cities, commercial vehicle hauling limits and more. Here's what those orders will do:

• Minnesota's state auditor can work with local governments to postpone financial reporting deadlines. Walz's office said communities need this time to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Constitutional officers can implement leave for classified and unclassified employees and can reassign and redeploy staff as needed.
• Walz is also relaxing guidelines on how long commercial drivers, hauling livestock, can be on the road and how much they can haul. The governor's office said this order would ensure a flow of essential products to retailers.

All of Walz's executive orders are subject to approval by the executive council and will have the full force of law upon their approval.