COVID-19 Related Updates: What You Need to Know

Updates about COVID-19 related protocols in place to help you safely visit Saint Paul with confidence. We continually monitor and assess any new developments and will make updates as new information becomes available.

Last update: March 15, 2021

The health and safety of Saint Paul’s visitors and residents are of utmost importance. The Minnesota Department of Health is leading the state and city preparedness and information dissemination. For detailed information from the Minnesota Department of Health, click here.

We encourage visitors to follow the guidance of the CDC and health professionals to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. Please practice physical distancing, wear a facial covering in public spaces, wash hands frequently and stay home when sick.

Local businesses have taken the Ready Together Pledge, demonstrating their commitment to the health and well-being of Saint Paul's residents and visitors - see which businesses have already taken the pledge.

What is open:

Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan outlines guidelines for safe reopening of activities within the state. Find the details below. 

Please note that while most businesses are allowed to open with specific guidelines, it is a good idea to check their reopening status as you’re making plans.

• Restaurants: Effective March 15, indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars are open at 75% capacity with a maximum of 250 people. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties, bar seating is open to parties of four, and establishments must close for on-site dining between 11pm and 4am. Many restaurants are offering outdoor dining and curbside pick-up. List of dine-in, take-out and curbside pick-up.

• Retail: Retail businesses are open at full capacity. List of retail openings.

• Attractions and Entertainment: Event and entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity with social distancing (maximum of 250 people in an area). This includes theatres, concert halls, museums, bowling alleys and arcades. Masks are required. No food service after 11pm. 
  List of attraction and entertainment openings. Many attractions are also offering virtual tours and programs that you can enjoy online. 

• Outdoor Recreation Activities & Facilities:  Parks, trails, open spaces, dog parks, and athletic fields remain open following the DNR’s Guidance and Saint Paul Parks & Rec Guidelines, which include 6 ft social distancing. Outdoor gatherings should be limited to 50 people max.
• Outdoor Events & Entertainment: Effective March 15, outdoor events can open at 50% capacity with no more than 250 people and social distancing. Masks are recommended, but not required.
• Salons and Barbershops: Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, are open at 100% capacity with 6 feet of social distancing maintained between parties.
• Indoor Religious Services: Effective March 15, indoor religious services, including weddings and funerals, are permitted at 100% capacity with masks required and 6 feet of social distance maintained between households. No food or drink except when essential to perform a ritual or service (e.g., Communion). Singing is permitted as long as masks are worn. 
• Reception/Event Spaces: Follow indoor event venue guidelines for the setting where they are held. Table size is limited to 6 and guests must be seated while eating and drinking. Events may not occur between 11am-4pm. 
• Fitness Facilities:  Beginning March 15, gyms, personal fitness facilities, yoga studios and martial arts may open at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 250 and social distancing and masks.
• Social Gatherings: Indoor social gatherings have a 15 person limit. Outdoor social gatherings have a 50 person limit. Social distancing between households must be maintained. 

Review the full Stay Safe Plan.

What you need to know:

• Social distancing guidelines are in place. 
• Effective Friday, July 24, the state of Minnesota requires people to wear a face-covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. Additionally, workers are required to wear a face-covering when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old are not required to wear face-coverings, but are encouraged to wear a face-covering when in public.
• In Saint Paul, facemasks are required inside any businesses or city facilities (including parks and outdoor public spaces) at all times when social distancing of at least 6 ft is not maintained. This applies to individuals who are over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering.
• Contactless payment is preferred.

Additional COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources:

• Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health
• City of Saint Paul Emergency Management
• Multi-lingual informational videos on the Coronavirus from SPNN & TPT
• US Travel
• Pioneer Press - Coronavirus tips and articles
• Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center

The City is sending regular email updates about the City’s response to COVID-19. Please subscribe to their COVID-19 bulletin for up-to-date information.