Dakota Times

State representatives and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are working together to devise a plan to reopen Minnesota's small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the extension of more business exemptions to Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order.  

"As Minnesota starts reopening for business, we can safely balance a return to work with public health," Republican State Rep. Pat Garofalo said in a statement on Facebook. "We don't have to pick one or the other. Some (me included) are advocating for opening faster with more flexibility for small businesses. Others are advocating for opening slower with more restrictions. Regardless of which opinion you possess, the important thing is we are now trending towards expanding commerce. This is a good thing!"

Doug Loon, the President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, gave credit to the manufacturing industries' strategies on reopening businesses, stating they are doing well with the safety operations and social distancing within the workplace in a conversation between Loon and David Lee of WCCO News Talk.

"They're doing everything they can to protect their workers," Loon said of the manufacturing industry, according to WCCO News Talk. "Fundamentally, a business can't operate unless they have workers in the places that they need them. If the workforce becomes sick as we saw with the pork plant in Sioux Falls, that is a huge detriment to the future and success of that business. Businesses here in Minnesota has gone to great means to make sure the workforce is protected."  

Following this statement, Worthington's pork JBS processing plant shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak April 20.

"This is further evidence that as businesses stay open or some businesses reopen, those businesses maintain social distancing, utilize masks where appropriate, and to the degree, possible bring in fresh air from the outside," Garofalo said on Facebook. "Despite this being a big setback, we should remain optimistic. More businesses will be reopening this week, researchers will discover therapies to limit the progression of this virus, and we will continue to be inspired by the dedication of those in the health care profession. Stay strong!"

There is a possibility the virus is being transferred between the Sioux Falls plant and the JBS processing plant since multiple family members work at both, Walz said Friday, according to Bloomberg. 

This outbreak closure also comes after the announcement by Walz that Minnesota will be working with five other states to develop a regional plan to open up economically.

"Today, we are announcing that Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky will work in close coordination to reopen our economies in a way that prioritizes our workers' health," Walz said according to KTTC NBC. "We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protects families from the spread of COVID-19."