COVID-19 Related Updates: What’s Open and 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: October 2, 2020

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 are taking 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: 

Governor Tim Walz has authorized the reopening of local businesses, moving into Phase III of Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan, which 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: Indoor dining with reduced occupancy for social distancing and advanced reservations. Tables are limited to 4 people (or 6 if from the same family). 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 50% capacity to maintain proper social distancing. List of retail openings.
• 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. Golf courses, including Como, Phalen and Highland National are open -- golfers must maintain at least a 6ft distance from anyone outside their household at all times.
• Attractions and Entertainment: Event and entertainment venues can open at 25 percent capacity. This includes theatres, concert halls, museums, bowling alleys and arcades. While some remain closed, many attractions are offering virtual tours and programs that you can enjoy online. List of attraction and entertainment openings. 
• Salons and Barbershops: Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, are open at 50% capacity with reservations required.
• Indoor Religious Services: Indoor religious services, including weddings and funerals, are permitted at 50% capacity and a maximum of 250 people.
• Fitness Facilities:  Gyms, personal fitness facilities, yoga studios and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
• Social Gatherings: Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.

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.
• Occupancy rates are limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. 
• All reopening businesses must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. 
• 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.