Today we announced a cautious, measured turning of the dial toward a new normal. Our Stay Home Order will be replaced with one that encourages Minnesotans to stay close to home and allows retail stores and main streets to safely open.

We asked you to take drastic action. We asked you to stay home to slow the spread and give us time to prepare. And with that time we built out hospital capacity, we increased ventilators and ICU beds, we sourced critical care and PPE, and we launched a landmark testing strategy.

Thank you for your sacrifices. You have saved the lives of thousands of Minnesotans. With the capacity that we built while you stayed home, we can chart a new way forward. We can take a measured, Minnesota approach that protects public health and improves economic stability.

This means cautious, strategic steps forward. And it means clear measures for determining if and when we need to pull back. We are not flipping a switch and all going back to normal at once. We are slowly moving a dial.

Starting May 18, non-critical businesses, like retail stores and main street businesses, can reopen if they have a safety plan. We will be able to gather with friends and family in groups of 10 or less with social distancing.

We are trusting people to #StaySafeMN by making smart choices. Wear a mask, stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, and get tested if you are not feeling well. We are counting on Minnesotans to take personal responsibility for their health and the health of their community.

We will get through this. We are resilient people with a deep reserve of courage, optimism, and grit. No matter how daunting the challenge; no matter how dark the times; Minnesota has always risen up—by coming together.