Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency Friday to be ready for whatever the coronavirus throws at the state next.

In addition, state health leaders are now “strongly” discouraging gatherings of more than 250 people, or at any gatherings that force people close together for extended periods, and they’re encouraging “social distancing” at work and in public places.

In other words, avoid crowds and increase your personal space, if at all possible.

The announcements, along with several others made by Walz and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm at a news conference at the Capitol, signify the state is entering a new phase of COVID-19 response that will increasingly affect the lives of everyone, healthy or not.

Walz noted the jarring speed with which the virus has shaken the fabrics of society in the world, the nation, and now Minnesota.

“We know that there’s going to be some long days ahead,” he said. “I forecasted just yesterday that by this time next week, things will look a lot different, and there will be disruptions to our daily lives. We’ll get through this together, and we’ll keep our neighbors safe.”

Here’s the overriding goal: Slow the spread of the virus from person to person to guard against a crush of sick people who could overwhelm hospitals.

Buying time by such measures “makes a world of difference,” Malcolm said.

The fact that the state, as of Friday afternoon, had but 14 positive cases is irrelevant, Malcolm said. The real numbers could be higher, she said, adding that it would be “pretty naive” to think that “community transmission” — the type of spread that sees cases rise sharply — won’t happen sooner or later.

Lastly, on Friday Walz sent a package of COVID-19-inspired proposals to lawmakers and urged them to approve them immediately.

Here’s a quick summary of some of the issues:

SCHOOLS STILL OPEN

Walz and Malcolm have continued to decline to close schools statewide, but rather encourage social distancing among students and staff — although Malcolm emphasized that officials were taking this decision day-by-day, and individual schools might be forced to close briefly if the facilities become exposed to the virus.

Officials believe school is the safest place for children, and they’re concerned about the number of health care workers who have kids, and keeping healthcare workers at work is a top priority.

The schools question is confusing for many, but here’s the most important point: Scientists do not believe children are a major transmitter of the virus.

NO EMERGENCY ACTIONS

Walz’s emergency declaration gives him sweeping authority, but he didn’t wield any of it Friday.

The announcement was intended to send a message to the state that he’s on the situation and to remove nearly all bureaucratic and legal obstacles to taking aggressive measures if need be.

Under the state’s emergency powers law, Walz could do almost anything, from banning gatherings of any size to closing roads to calling up the National Guard, for five days. That period can be extended 30 days with the agreement of other statewide elected officials.

Minnesota governors have often invoked the law but used its powers sparingly in instances that rarely garner much public attention. Examples include re-routing roads and setting up shelters during snowstorms or waiving weight limits on trucks during pinches in fuel supply chains.

Walz described his declaration as “opening the toolbox” for other options. But he emphasized that he had no desire to make arrests in connection with any of Friday’s recommendations.

CROWDS DISCOURAGED

Walz could use the emergency powers to ban large gatherings with the force of law — as a number of other governors have done — but he declined to do so Friday.

Instead, he opted to have state health leaders urge against gatherings larger than 250. This includes concerts, sporting events, religious services, and pretty much any place other than airports. Organizers of such events are asked to cancel or postpone them.

“These are recommendations, but they’re strong recommendations,” Malcolm said.

“Do not gather in large groups,” Walz said flatly at one point.

But don’t get hung up on the 250 number.

Smaller gatherings where people can’t be ensured at least 6 feet of space in all directions should be canceled or postponed. “Six feet of space for 10 minutes” is a rough threshold that health officials say seems to apply for this virus. You should try to avoid being that close for that long, if possible.

Walz and Malcolm acknowledged it’s not always possible to avoid such settings.

EXTEND TAX DEADLINE?

Among the proposals Walz wants lawmakers to pass immediately:

Create an emergency coronavirus fund.

Ensure no barriers — financial, insurance, or otherwise — to widespread COVID-19 testing as it becomes available.

Consider the possibility of extending the state’s income tax filing deadline past April 15.

Ensure that people who miss work for any reason attributable to the epidemic can tap their paid sick time, if they have that benefit.

The developments came during a lengthy news conference at the Capitol, which, Walz acknowledged, was too crowded with reporters to observe the new recommendations — a point he said was emblematic of the challenges of changing societal and professional norms. Members of his cabinet have changed meeting rooms to find spaces where they can sit in every other chair.

“I’m telling Minnesotans: It’s hard to do,” he said, before injecting a moment of humor into what was otherwise a weighty event. “My entire career and life is shaking hands and picking up babies by instinct. I have to hold myself back. It’s uncomfortable for some of us to do that, but we need to.”