COVID-19
Updated on 5/1/20. To obtain information on developments since then, please reach out to the Association office. If you are on our email lists, you will receive information as it is released into the public space.
Your Association is open and working to keep you informed on issues and government action related to the coronavirus pandemic.
We have vigorously worked with our state and federal officials to identify our farm and construction equipment dealerships as an “essential business” in the event there is a government-mandated shutdown of all “non-essential” businesses.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued UPDATED guidance, which identifies key industries that would be allowed to operate should a federal shutdown/quarantine be declared. Farm and construction equipment dealerships would be included as part of that group. Dealerships’ sales, rental, service and parts departments would be allowed to continue to operate, subject to their respective state laws.
The farm equipment exemption (page 6 & 7) states:
- “Farmers, farm workers, and agribusiness support services to include those employed in auction and sales…”
- “Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary for agricultural production and distribution.”
The construction equipment exemption (page 10) states:
- “Employees who repair and maintain vehicles…and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers.”
- “Workers critical to rental and leasing of vehicles and equipment that facilitate continuity of operations for essential workforces and other essential travel.”
Other websites and articles related to COVID-19 are listed below. Please give us a call at the office and let us know if you have any questions.
Federal Information & Resources
As of April 30th, 2020, President Trump's social distancing guidelines have expired.
U.S. Treasury Dept.'s Resources on the CARES Act
Employer's FAQ on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Mandated Notice for Workplaces (needs to be distributed to all employees by April 1st)
CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating COVID-19
The information listed below reflects decisions and executive orders made on a state-wide basis. To follow city guidelines, you would need to look up COVID-19 resources specific to your city.
Minnesota Resources
Schools - Closed. Transitioned to online learning.
Food Service Businesses - Closed to in-dining services. Take-out, Delivery, Curbside, and Drive-throughs will continue service. In effect until May 4th.
Public Accommodation & Amusement Businesses - Closed until May 4th.
Non-Essential Businesses - Closed from March 28th through May 4th. See the information above for clarification on the consideration of equipment dealers.
Essential Businesses - Open
MN Governor's Executive Orders
MN Unemployment Insurance Information
MN Small Business Loan Guarantee
North Dakota Resources
North Dakota's business restrictions expired on April 30, 2020. The state has released guidelines for businesses to follow as they start to open to the public, and has published the state's long-term plan for dealing with COVID-19.
ND Governor's Executive Orders
ND State Health Recommendations from Governor Burgum
ND Unemployment Insurance and Q&A on CARES Act.
ND Dept. of Health Travel Order
South Dakota Resources
Though South Dakota's Governor, Kristi Noem, never issued a "Stay At Home" Order, she did issue an order requiring open businesses to follow specific guidelines. That order has been updated with the "Back to Normal Plan" that was released on April 28, 2020.
SD State Recommendations for Employers
Articles & News Releases
For Immediate Release from Association Partners to their Members The COVID-19 pandemic has created a multitude of challenges for all of us. Through all of these issues confronting us today, our recommended partner, Federated Insurance, has worked closely with their customers to help them find their way through these unprecedented times. Federated is a “Value-Add”…
Today, April 24, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, provided additional guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established under the CARES Act. This PPP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document will be updated on a regular basis. Borrowers and lenders…
Supplemental funding for the CARES Act has been voted on and approved by the House and Senate and was just signed by the President. The original CARES Act was signed by the President on March 27. The original CARES Act included $349 billion for the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and increased funding for the Economic Injury Disaster…
Your Association has fielded many questions regarding a broad range of employment-related issues facing employers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those questions include: An employee of ours has tested positive for COVID-19. What should we do? One of our employees has a suspected but unconfirmed case of COVID-19. What should we…
In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Governor Noem announced the implementation of two executive orders. In the first order, she removed the word “should” from her March 23 order and replaced it with the word ‘shall’. Governor Noem reiterated her original statement, saying, “If you wish to operate [a business in South Dakota], this is…