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                                                           Wednesday, March 25 Statement from Mayor Larson

The City of Duluth began preparations for COVID-19 several weeks ago, and we factored in the possibility for what a shelter in place scenario would require from us as a City.

We remain prepared to continue to provide the foundational services our residents rely on. Public utilities, public safety, CareerForce unemployment assistance, etc. All of these services are made possible by our dedicated and industrious public workers who are essential to making sure this community functions – even in a time of global pandemic.

We closed public buildings over a week ago and took very early action to protect the health of our workers and our public. Every decision we have made has been with everyone’s safety as the number one priority.

We are all in this together. All of us. Decisions such as Governor Walz’s today to shelter in place for two weeks are incredibly difficult to make. But public health compels us to think beyond the immediate and into a future in which all Duluth residents, and all Minnesotans, can be well. I thank Governor Walz for his clarity in protecting our public’s health. His and his staff’s leadership on this issue has been clear, and we are grateful for everything that they have done and continue to do.

Our shared sacrifice to stay home is to make sure that all of our neighbors can be well.

Thank you to the thousands of essential workers across multiple sectors – including health care and child care providers, grocery store workers and people staffing our utilities, social services and public safety services. We need you to be well and we thank you and your families for your service and sacrifice.

As the governor said, only go out if you absolutely need to. Adhere to social distancing guidelines – stay six feet away (which is about the length of a bicycle or a ski pole), wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, don’t touch your face, and follow the other guidelines that can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html). Please also be mindful of those continuing to work, and respect social distancing for them as well.

We will get through this together, and we all have responsibility for our part in making that happen. Please take good care of yourself and one another so we can all get well soon.

Mayor Emily Larson

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