Post Date: 03/15/2020 4:51 PM

From Mayor Najwa Massad and City Manager Patrick Hentges

Mankato has activated its emergency operations center, which closes the Public Safety Center, 710 South Front Street, to routine business. Essential services, such as public safety, water and wastewater utilities, public works and street maintenance, will continue and are a priority. Emergencies go to 911; and questions about non-emergencies go to 311 or 507-387-8600.

As part of the city's planning, we are looking for ways to provide relief to businesses, individuals and others as the situation evolves, need becomes apparent or as resources change. Payroll services to employees and payment to vendors, including contract and regular service providers, will move forward. Social distancing recommendations require the city to examine how it does daily business, and adjustments are being made accordingly.

Since there is expected to be a significant impact on people's daily lives based on the closure of Minnesota schools, as quoted in Governor Walz's executive order 20-02, each individual is asked "to support center-based and family child care providers in staying open, supporting their employees, and remaining in business during this peacetime emergency and afterward, I direct state agencies to collaborate and align resources to support child care providers." The city will be collaborating to identify solutions with area organizations to help ensure essential emergency workers' childcare needs are met.

In alignment with Governor Walz, it's encouraged that we all consider each other's needs and not hoard household supplies, continue generosity to food shelves, public aid, charities and organizations who help others. Most importantly, as a neighbor, please check on the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Please be cognizant of social distancing when assisting others.

If there are questions regarding COVID-19 or other medical concerns, individuals are asked to contact their health providers. The public is encouraged to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 using strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health. Examples include implementing social distancing, rescheduling or canceling events with 250 or more people and limiting attendance, to name a few.

Residents, businesses and government need to come together during this difficult and unprecedented time so our community remains as vital as possible. Information will continue to be shared accordingly.

Helpful information and resources

Greater Mankato Growth has online information to be supportive and helpful in getting information to our member businesses about how to best be prepared and proactive in regard to the Coronavirus-COVID-19.

View Minnesota Department of Health about general community health efforts, community and individual strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19.

View Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information about how to protect yourself and if you think you are sick:

Information about older adults and medical conditions.

Information to help prepare families.

Information summary up to today that may continue to be useful:

Governor Tim Walz declared a "Peacetime state of emergency" to coordinate strategies to protect citizens from COVID-19.

The Minnesota Department of Health has developed a list of strategies to limit and slow the spread of COVID-19. Examples include implement social distancing, reschedule or cancel events with 250 or more people and limit attendance to name a few.

Is there a statewide hotline available if I have more questions?

Yes. The Minnesota Department of Health has established a coronavirus hotline that is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 1-651-201-3920.