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
Minnesota Stay at Home Order Begins at 11:59 p.m. Friday through April 10 At 2:00 pm yesterday, Governor Walz issued an executive order that requires all persons currently living within the State of Minnesota to stay at home or in their place of residence except to engage in the Activities and Critical Sector work set…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As of March 21, 2020, small businesses located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa,…
The deadline for filing tax returns will be postponed three months to July 15 because of the coronavirus outbreak, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced. The decision comes after widespread complaints over the administration’s previous plan to give people who owed the IRS an additional 90 days to pay, without penalties or interest, yet still required…
PRES. TRUMP SIGNS FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT PREPARE TO PROVIDE PAID SICK LEAVE AND FMLA – APRIL 2 EFFECTIVE DATE Last evening, President Donald Trump, upon final Senate passage hours earlier, signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Act is an economic stimulus plan that attempts to address the impact of…
Latest Executive Orders: vehicle and driver regulations, paid leave for state employees Minnesota Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-06 to exempt vehicles and drivers providing direct assistance for emergency relief efforts in response to COVID-19 from certain regulations including provisions on truck weights and hours of service. Walz also signed Executive Order 20-07 providing paid leave…
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