![Minnesota City Council Cotes to Extend COVID-19 Emergency](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/02/MINNEAPOLIS-SKYLINE-GO.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota City Council Cotes to Extend COVID-19 Emergency
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis City Council members have voted to extend the city's COVID-19 emergency, in order to ensure a smooth transition to normal operations.
City Council President Lisa Bender says members want to provide a "phased approach" rather than abruptly ending some programs that businesses and others in the community are currently relying on.
The declaration allows the city to waive some of its normal procedures with the goal of providing a faster or more effective response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The emergency extension comes on a day when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that the state has reached the goal set by President Biden and the Centers for Disease Control to vaccinate 70% of the state's 18-and-older population by July 4.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Step Right Up: Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Sherburne County Fair](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-SherburneCountyFair-PHOTO-TiffanyLeigh.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Search Warrants Turn Up Haul of Stolen Property](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/01/Crime-Tape.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)