Sandy MaloneSt. Paul, MN – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday ordered the 5.6 million residents of his state to shelter in place as of midnight on Friday.
“We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans,” Walz said in a statement, according to NBC News. “As a former Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I believe in having a plan — which is why I’m directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit their movements to essential services.”
The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 27 and will last until at least April 10, according to CNN.
Walz said he was trying to “strike a proper balance” and keep the state’s economy functioning by allowing residents to leave their home for trips to grocery stores and pharmacies, and to engage in some exercise.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 287 Minnesotans had tested positive for the coronavirus and one person had died, according to the Bing COVID-19 Tracker.
Idaho Governor Brad Little on Wednesday ordered Idahoans to stay at home for the next 21 days, the Idaho Statesman reported.
Little said the order would go into effect immediately.
“Idaho is now in a new stage with confirmed community transmission now occurring in Idaho’s most densely populated areas,” the governor told reporters at Gowen Field at the Boise Airport. “… We absolutely have to have this take place.”
Idaho has had 73 people test positive for coronavirus but so far, nobody has died, according to the Bing COVID-19 Tracker.
On Tuesday, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed a stay-at-home order and directed all non-essential businesses to cease in-person operations until April 15, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The order said Vermont residents must stay at home unless they are leaving for reasons of health and safety, CNN reported.
“I fully recognize the emotional, financial and economic impact of these decisions, but based on the best science we have available, these measures are necessary,” Scott said. “I need all Vermonters to understand that the more quickly and closely we follow these stay-at-home measures, the faster and safer we can get through this and get our daily lives, and our economy, moving again. I have tremendous faith in Vermonters and our ability to follow these guidelines, to save lives and support each other throughout – even as we are physical separated.”
Vermont has had 123 residents test positive for coronavirus with seven fatalities.
In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday ordered all non-essential businesses to close and all non-essential workers to remain at home, according to the Las Cruces Sun News.
“Our society must continue to operate — but in an extremely limited way,” the governor said.
New Mexico has 100 residents who tested positive for coronavirus but nobody has died yet, according to the Bing COVID-19 Tracker.
The governor of West Virginia announced a stay-at-home order on Tuesday that went into effect at 8 p.m. the same day, WCHS reported.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice also ordered all non-essential businesses to close.
The state had 39 positive cases of coronavirus as of Wednesday afternoon, but no residents have died from it.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced a shelter in place order for his citizens on March 24 that went into effect at 8 a.m. on March 25, WBAY reported.
“We want a strong economy. Who the hell doesn’t?” Evers said. “But we also value human life. At some point we need to value that more. We can do both, and that’s what this order is about.”
The governor’s order prohibited “all non-essential travel” within the state and ordered all non-essential businesses to close.
“While businesses defined in the Governor’s Order as Essential Businesses and Operations are encouraged to remain open, Non-essential for-profit and non-profit businesses in Wisconsin have been instructed to cease all activities, except for minimal basic operations (e.g., maintaining inventory, preserving the business’s physical plant and equipment, processing payroll and employee benefits, etc.),” a statement from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation read, WBAY reported.
Wisconsin has had 585 positive coronavirus cases in the state, with six fatalities.