St. Louis County officials are planning to put an end to the county's mask mandate for public indoor spaces, County Executive Sam Page announced Wednesday. Administration of a COVID-19 vaccine is a medically accepted and recommended form of prophylactic treatment that dramatically reduces the likelihood of experiencing a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recent studies show that available COVID-19 vaccines also reduce asymptomatic infection and transmission. According to a news release, the St. Paul Public . West | Saint Paul, MN 55102 | General Information: 651-266-8989, Amid Highly Contagious COVID-19 Variants, Mayor Melvin Carter Reinstates Mask Requirement in Licensed Businesses and City Controlled Facilities in Saint Paul, Ward 1 - Councilmember Balenger (Interim), Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity. . St. Paul Public Schools will be keeping a mask mandate in place for now, even as most other districts in the state have dropped face covering requirements amid a decreasing number of new COVID cases. Studies show that masks and face coverings block the release of respiratory droplets into the environment and can also reduce the wearers exposure to droplets from others because COVID- 19 viral particles spread between people more readily indoors and when people are closer together for longer periods of time indoors. 12.29; which the City Council consented to on March 17, 2020, and which I extended, and such extension was approved by the City Council on June 10, 2020. NOW, THEREFORE, MAYOR MELVIN CARTER Ill, OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DECLARES, REQUESTS, AND DIRECTS AS FOLLOWS: I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on March 1, 2021, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, I issued an Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic pursuant to Minn. Stat. Alternative Care Sites (ACS) shall be treated as a use similar to a medical facility and are therefore subject to this Emergency Executive Order so that they can be rapidly and effectively established toreduce the morbidity, mortality, and the social impact on the City from the COVID-19 Pandemic, provided; that the location, occupancy, and operation of any ACS facility shall be subject to the prior written approval from the Zoning Administrator, the Building Official, and the Director of the department of emergency management and that these approvals may each contain reasonable conditions in keeping with the protection of the health, welfare, and safety of the public. Code. Governor Walz, in Executive Order 20-56, has declared a peacetime emergency in the City of Saint Paul as well as the City of Minneapolis and the surrounding communities. Although conditions have improved, threats to public safety remain. On March 15, 2020, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued an Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to Minn. Stat. WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd died while in the custody of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department; and, WHEREAS, following the death of George Floyd, civil unrest erupted in Minneapolis including fires, looting and other criminal behavior; and, WHEREAS, on May 28 -31, 2020, the civil unrest in Minneapolis spread to Saint Paul and included fires, looting and other criminal behavior causing significant damage; and, WHEREAS, along University Avenue between Snelling and Lexington avenues, more than 70 businesses were impacted , with more than a dozen sustaining serious fire damage; and, WHEREAS, civil unrest has arisen nation-wide since Mr. Floyds death; and, WHEREAS, on August 23, 2020, Jacob Blake, an African American man, was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and since that date there has been civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin including mass protest, fires, looting, and shootings; and, WHEREAS, on August 26, 2020, Eddie Frank Sole Jr., 38, died by his own hand while being pursued by Minneapolis police; and, WHEREAS, Eddie Frank Sole, Jr., was an African American man, and false rumors spread that Minneapolis police had shot Mr. The Delta variant is more contagious than previous variants, has been causing more severe illness than prior variants, and fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. Code Chapter 13.06(b) provides that, whenever necessary to meet an emergency the mayor may by executive order promulgate regulations for which adequate regulations have not been adopted respecting the conduct of persons and the use of property during emergencies; the repair, maintenance and safeguarding of essential public services; emergency health, fire and safety regulations; and all other matters which are required to protect public safety, health and welfare in emergencies; and, WHEREAS, the hours of the skyway system are governed by Saint Paul Legislative Code 140.10 which sets the General Hours of Operation and requires that all parts of the skyway system shall be open to the public every day between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; and, WHEREAS, on April 9, 2020 I issued Emergency Executive Order 2020-5 to allow an individual with responsibility for a portion of the skyway system to close their portion of the skyway for which they are responsible at 7 p.m. provided that notice of the revised skyway hours are posted in conspicuous locations; and, WHEREAS, based on the easing of COVID restrictions statewide, the fact that the spread of COVID-19 had slowed, and the wide availability of vaccines and the recommendation of skyway stakeholders I issued Executive Order 2021-23 which adjusted the skyway closure hours keeping the skyways open longer; and, WHEREAS, Executive Order 2021-23 was rescinded and replaced with Executive Order 2021-40 which allowed for an individual with responsibility for a portion of the skyway system is permitted to close their portion of the skyway for which they are responsible no earlier than 11:00 p.m. provided that notice of the revised skyway hours are posted in conspicuous locations; and, WHEREAS, Executive Order 2021-40 was extended by Executive Order 2021-44 and was set to expire on January 14, 2022 which would return Skyway Hours to normal; and, WHEREAS, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified new variants of the COVID-19 virus which are present in the United States and medical experts determined that some of these variants are significantly more contagious than previously known variants. I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on March 7, 2022 pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-1 declaring a Peacetime State of Emergency to authorize all necessary resources to be used in support of the COVID-19 response. Saint Paul businesses impacted by the Governors Executive Orders contribute to the vitality of Saint Paul, provide employment opportunities and services to residents, grow the Citys tax base, and increase our sense of community. b. COVID-19 vaccines are now readily available for all eligible individuals five years of age and older, while those four years of age and under remain ineligible for vaccination and therefore subject to greater exposure of infection and transmission. Executive Order 2021-23 is rescinded and replaced with this order. Effective January 26, 2022, any licensed business, during any time that a ticketed event is being held, that is a space of public accommodation in the City of Saint Paul during any time that food and/or drink is sold or served indoors for consumption onsite shall limit admission of patrons to the area of the licensed premises where food and/or drink is being consumed, to only those persons who furnish proof of a completed vaccination series against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test obtained within seventy-two (72) hours of entry. Saint Paul Leg. 12.31, Subd. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melvin Carter, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, in an effort to ease the financial burden and aid in the recovery of Saint Paul businesses impacted by Minnesota Governor Walzs Executive Orders, do hereby issue the following Emergency Executive Order: I FURTHER REQUEST, that the Saint Paul City Council take immediate action by Ordinance to extend this Emergency Executive Order for 1 year so all impacted businesses will have the 2022 license fee set at the 2021 rate, receive a 25% reduction of their next annual license fee, and businesses with annual license fees due prior to May 1, 2022 will receive a ninety-day extension of the next due date of those fees. License holders for the license types listed below will be given: The 2022 license fee will remain at the 2021 rate for business licenses. Declares, under Minn. Stat. 13D.021, that in-person meetings of the City Council and other public bodies under the Mayor's jurisdiction are not practical or prudent because of the COVID-19 health pandemic and the emergency declared under Minn. Stat. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, do hereby extend the following Emergency Executive Order: The following Executive Order is extended without amendment: I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on January 5 2022, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified new variants of the COVID-19 virus which are present in the United States and medical experts determined that some of these variants are significantly more contagious than previously known variants. Other Minneapolis police officers stood guard as witnesses begged the officers to provide life-saving aid to George Floyd. 12.31, Subd. This declaration supersedes all prior declarations. Subject to any rules, regulations, or guidance that may be issued by the Department of Safety and Inspections, any Food Establishment may submit a complaint of a violation of this section to the Department of Safety and Inspections. Under the authority given in Minnesota Statutes 12.29, declares that a local emergency continues to exist within Saint Paul, on January 3, 2022, with all the powers and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Chapter 12, Minnesota Statute, and Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 13. An overnight shelter is a use where people receive overnight shelter but are not expected or permitted to remain on a 24-hour-per-day basis. Id. 12.29 and Leg. After a transaction occurs for the purchase and delivery of food from a Food Establishment through a Third-party Food Delivery Platform, the Third-party Food Delivery Platform shall provide an electronic or printed receipt to the customer. Any individual who subsequently refuses to leave said property upon request will be deemed to be trespassing and may be subject to criminal penalties as provided by law. I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on March 10, 2022, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, I issued an Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 12.29 and Saint Paul Legislative Code section 13.06, which the City Council consented to on March 17, 2020. Supplemental COVID-19 safety measures include: The pedestrian skyway system as defined in Saint Paul Legislative Code chapter 140. In order to assist with any financial impacts of that order, and the impact of the pandemic in general, Mayor Carter intends to reduce license fees for licensed business included in Executive Order 2022-5 in the form of a 25% license fee reduction and 3 months deferral on upcoming renewal payments. This Order has been extended several times and remains in effect; and, WHEREAS, on March 25, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and allowed only essential workers to go to work. This Declaration has now expired. Saint Paul Leg. 2. Under the authority given in Minnesota Statutes 12.29, declares that a local emergency continues to exist within Saint Paul, on May 31, 2021, with all the powers and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Chapter 12, Minnesota Statute, and Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 13. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melvin Carter, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, do hereby rescind Emergency Executive Order 2022-5, effective on February 10, 2022. I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on April 9, 2020, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: On March 15, 2020, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued an Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to Minn. Stat. 12.31, Subd. Students in St. Paul will no longer be required to wear masks in classrooms, starting Monday, as long as the spread of COVID-19 remains in check. SAINT PAUL, MN- Today, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signed Executive Order 2022-2, renewing the requirement for facemasks to be work indoors in all city-controlled facilities and at all businesses licensed by the City of Saint Paul at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained, except for temporary removal of face covering when eating or drinking. After Executive Order 2020-22 was issued, the Department of Safety and Inspections engaged in further discussions with the Skyway Governance Committee as well as individual owners of downtown businesses and learned that several downtown hospitality businesses remain closed or with reduced hours and that several other businesses with office workers are still largely working remotely. All Businesses: Strongly encouraged to continue to require that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, wear a face covering indoors at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained. WHEREAS, Saint Paul Leg. Safe, highly effective COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available in the United States. The positivity rate in Ramsey County is currently more than 13%. You are using an unsupported browser. As of November 23, 2020, there have been 270,157 reported cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, and 3,241 deaths; and, WHEREAS, on November 18, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-99 Implementing a Four Week Dial Back on Certain Activities to Slow the Spread of COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, in EO 20-99, Governor Walz explained that the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota is quickening, detailing that it took Minnesota over 6 months to record 100,000 COVID-19 cases, but only 42 days to add an additional 100,000 new cases and that with each day the new cases sets a new highpoint; and, WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, I have exercised executive authority through more than 30 Executive Orders to provide relief and further prepare our City for the COVID-19 Pandemic; and. On the afternoon of Sunday, April 11, 2021, a Brooklyn Center police officer fatally shot Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man, during a traffic stop, inflaming already raw tensions between police and community members in the midst of the Derek Chauvin trial. Looting was widespread late April 11 into early April 12, spilling into north and south Minneapolis including looting of stores in Uptown and along Lake Street. As of November 29, 2021, there were 73,399 reported cases of COVID-19 in Ramsey County, and 1,005 COVID-19 related deaths; and, WHEREAS, even though vaccinations are becoming widely available, serious threats to health and safety of persons and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt in the nation and City; and, WHEREAS, the Delta variant is more contagious than previous variants, may cause more severe illness than prior variants, and fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others; and, WHEREAS, in recent weeks, hospitals have been up to 97% full; and, WHEREAS, the now 20-month health emergency has impacted the residents and businesses of Saint Paul; and, WHEREAS, small businesses in metropolitan areas have been hit harder than those in rural areas. Pursuant to Chapter 13 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, this Executive Order is in immediate effect upon my signature and, if not sooner rescinded, shall expire at the end of forty (40) days after its effective date or at the end of the declared local emergency to which it relates, whichever occurs first. Priority Two services can be disrupted temporarily, if necessary, but must be re-established within a few days to preserve the essential elements of the financial system of government, and to continue priority services. WHEREAS, Ordinance 20-36, Section 2 allows City officials authorized to arrange for the use of Freedom House as a temporary day-use service facility and winter weather sheltering facility for the unsheltered but does not address severe weather such as tornadoes or high winds. Pursuant to Chapter 13 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, this Executive Order is in immediate effect upon my signature and, if not sooner rescinded or later extended, shall expire at 6:00 A.M. on May 31, 2020. Orders that this declaration be given prompt and general publicity and that it be filed promptly by the City Clerk. Directs City departments to review ordinance and regulatory requirements, operations, civil and legal proceedings, events, and resources that can and should be adjusted or suspended, or emergency regulations that should be enacted to support and protect the residents and visitors of Saint Paul and public and private property in Saint Paul. Executive Order 2020-4 (Alternative Care Sites) Executive Order 2020-29 (Waiving signature requirements for zoning petitions), Executive Order 2021-36 (Face covering requirement indoors at City-controlled facilities). Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been more than 5,617 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 1,090 COVID-19 deaths in Ramsey County. On March 16, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-04 which ordered the temporary closure of Minnesota restaurants and bars to dine-in customers and also ordered the temporary closure of places of public accommodation and amusement, including but not limited to: theatres, museums, fitness centers, and community clubs; and Bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, clubs, and other places of public accommodation that offer alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption until April 10, 2020. 12.29; which the City Council consented to on March 17, 2020, and which I extended and such extension was approved by the City Council on June 10, 2020. Code Chapter 13.06(b) provides that, whenever necessary to meet an emergency the mayor may by executive order promulgate regulations for which adequate regulations have not been adopted respecting the conduct of persons and the use of property during emergencies; the repair, maintenance and safeguarding of essential public services; emergency health, fire and safety regulations; and all other matters which are required to protect public safety, health and welfare in emergencies. For the avoidance of doubt, and unless otherwise notified by the City, Establishments may operate outdoors in the City right of way without COVID-19-restrictions on capacity, party size, or distancing. While some restaurants may receive take-out orders directly, there are many Third-party Food Delivery Platforms and other services that operate through websites and/or mobile phone applications used by consumers to quickly and easily order pick-up and delivery meals from local restaurants. It is again necessary to close the skyway system in order to protect the safety of downtown residents and business owners whose residences and businesses are connected to the system from incidents of violence and vandalism in the skyway system. Other Minneapolis police officers stood guard as witnesses begged the officers to provide life-saving aid to George Floyd. Exemptions. On May 25, 2020, a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd while he was handcuffed and in the custody of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department. 70.6% of those eligible for the vaccine (12 and older) in Ramsey County have now received at least one dose. On May 13, 2020, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-25 extending the peacetime emergency declared in Executive Order 20-10 through June 13, 2020; and, WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, I have exercised executive authority through more than ten Executive Orders to provide relief and further prepare our City for the COVID-19 Pandemic; and. 12.31, Subd. Please use Microsoft Edge. "Third-party Food Delivery Platform" means any person, website, mobile application, or other internet service that offers or arranges for the sale of food and beverages prepared by, and the same-day delivery or same-day pickup of food and beverages from, Food Establishments. I hereby extend Executive Order 2020-5 with the following amendment: Through August 31, 2020, Section 140.10 (a) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to the general hours of skyway operation is hereby amended during the current emergency to allow an individual with responsibility for a portion of the skyway system to close their portion of the skyway for which they are responsible at 7 p.m. provided that notice of the revised skyway hours are posted in conspicuous locations. 12.31, Subd. Code Chapter 13.06(b) provides that, whenever necessary to meet an emergency the mayor may by executive order promulgate regulations for which adequate regulations have not been adopted respecting the conduct of persons and the use of property during emergencies; the repair, maintenance and safeguarding of essential public services; emergency health, fire and safety regulations; and all other matters which are required to protect public safety, health and welfare in emergencies. The traffic in skyways remains very low and is not expected to increase significantly after Labor Day. I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on February 1, 2021, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: I, Melvin Carter III, Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, on February 9, 2021, pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 13.06, do hereby issue the following Executive Order: On March 13, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-01 declaring a Peacetime Emergency and coordinating Minnesotas strategy to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19 pursuant to Minn. Stat.