NC Minnesota News

To prepare for the potential increase of hospital patients stricken with COVID-19, Gov. Tim Walz must implement the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Minnesota Senate Republicans say.

The tool would allow nurses and other healthcare workers to immediately be licensed to work in the state as long as they are licensed in their home states.

“We need to do everything possible to give hospitals the flexibility necessary to adequately deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said in a statement issued by the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus earlier this month. “Gov. Walz is wisely preparing for a surge in patients but so far has not implemented this important step to allow Minnesota to bring in needed health care workers from other states. Now is the time to do it.”

Minnesota recorded 789 COVID-19 cases as of April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. While those between the ages of 20 and 24 account for the most cases, it is elderly residents who are mostly among the fatalities, according to recent data.

Walz ordered people all over the state to stay inside their homes and not leave unless necessary on March 25. His executive order forbids Minnesotans from going outdoors with several exceptions.

Another executive order extended the closure of bars, restaurants and other small businesses until May 1.

Sen. Michelle Benson, who heads the Health and Human Services Committee, wrote a letter to the governor on March 20 requesting he put the compact into motion, but Senate Republicans say he has not responded to the letter.

“All Gov. Walz has to do is ask for help,” Benson said. “Now is not the time to hold back resources from our hospitals.”