Governor Walz's Executive Order 20-33 and Golf in Minnesota

MGA

EDINA, Minn. (April 8, 2020) -- Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz issued executive order 20-33 thus modifying the stay at home, closure of bars, restaurants and other public accommodations and schools outlined in executive orders 20-04, 20-18 and 20-20. Executive order 20-33 is effective from Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. through Sunday, May 03, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. All persons currently living within the State of Minnesota are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence except to engage in the Activities and Critical Sector work (set forth in paragraphs 5 and 6, here).

Importantly for the golf industry in Minnesota, lawncare and landscaping workers are now Critical Section exempt by executive order 20-33, and the maintenance of golf courses is now included under this category. All exempted work should be conducted in a manner that adheres to Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Standards and the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC Guidelines related to COVID-19, including social distancing and hygiene.

Minnesotans may leave their homes or residences to engage in outdoor activities (e.g., walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting, or fishing), and may go to available public parks and other public recreation lands, consistent with remaining at least six feet apart from individuals from other households, and provided that all persons follow the guidelines set forth and maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health.

At this time, playing golf is still not allowed under the governor’s order. The MGA and its allied golf associations continue to be in communication with Governor Tim Walz and various commissioners and legislators to allow limited facility operations so that golfers in Minnesota may have access to the more than 450 public, private, municipal and resort golf courses in the state. We are working with the Governor and his team to ensure that golf can be a safe outdoor activity consistent with the guidelines set forth in executive order 20-20.

When the time arrives that golf operations will be allowed to commence, we would like everyone involved to proceed under the safest conditions possible. Below are links to helpful resources related to golf and the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis:

USGA COVID-19 Rules and Handicapping FAQs

Emergency Executive Order 20-04

Emergency Executive Order 20-18

Emergency Executive Order 20-20

Emergency Executive Order 20-33

GCSAA COVID-19 Pandemic Resources

National Golf Course Owners "Park and Play" COVID-19 Protocols

National Club Association Coronavirus Resource Site

USGA Green Section COVID-19 Resources