Governor Burgum announces new mitigation measures for COVID-19

On Friday, November 13, Gov. Doug Burgum announced several mitigation measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota. The goal is to protect vulnerable individuals, ensure adequate hospital capacity and keep schools and businesses open.

Across the state’s health care system, capacity is strained, potentially jeopardizing the ability of hospitals to provide the first-rate treatment North Dakotans are accustomed to— not only for COVID-19 patients, but also for those seeking care for heart attacks, cancer, trauma and other urgent needs, Burgum noted.

“Our doctors and nurses heroically working on the front lines need our help, and they need it now. Since the beginning, we’ve taken a data-driven approach to our pandemic response, focusing on saving lives and livelihoods. Right now, the data demands a higher level of mitigation efforts to reverse these dangerous trends, to slow the spread of this virus and to avoid the need for economic shutdowns,” Burgum said in a video conference announcing the measures. “Our situation has changed, and we must change with it.”

The measures include a State Health Officer order requiring face coverings to be worn in indoor businesses and indoor public settings as well as outdoor public settings where physical distancing isn’t possible. The order, signed by interim State Health Officer Dirk Wilke, is effective from Nov. 14 through Dec. 13. It includes exceptions for children under age 5, individuals with a condition or disability that makes it unreasonable to wear a mask, and religious services.

“The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is wearing a mask,” Wilke said. “This is a simple tool, but one that’s critical in helping protect our loved ones and slow the spread.”

Burgum signed an executive order to implement the other mitigation measures, which take effect Monday, Nov. 16, and are as follows:

• All bars, restaurants and food service establishments are limited to 50% of their licensed seated capacity, not to exceed 150 patrons, and are closed to in-person service between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Take-out, curbside and delivery will still be allowed during those hours, and Burgum encouraged North Dakotans to take advantage and support local businesses.

For those that were already following the ND Smart Restart recommendations of 25% capacity in high-risk counties, the change will allow them to safely welcome more customers into their establishments with masking and distancing requirements.

Burgum noted the state will soon make $54 million available through a hospitality grant program to help these businesses navigate this challenging time, and has made $70 million available through the Bank of North Dakota to buy down interest on eligible existing debt for any business whose revenue was impacted negatively by COVID-19.

• All banquet and event venues are limited to 25% of their maximum occupancy, not to exceed new capacity limits that have been established with input from venues and local public health officials based on the size of the venue. Physical distancing and masks will be required.

Industries not covered by the executive order should continue to follow the North Dakota Smart Restart guidelines.

• In regard to playoff championship contests and performance events, Gov. Burgum also announced that any events sponsored by the North Dakota High School Activities Association during the month of November may continue under NDHSAA requirements. All high school winter sports and other extracurricular K-12 school activities are suspended until Dec. 14. This also applies to all association, community and club sports for youth and adults.

College and intercollegiate activities must follow guidance from the North Dakota University System and their respective national organizations.

Burgum said the four-week pause in activities will help keep schools open to in-person instruction – the optimal learning environment for most students – and ensure that students continue to follow the mitigation strategies of wearing a mask and physical distancing.

“I fully support and endorse the orders signed by Gov. Burgum and the State Health Officer,” said Dr. Joshua Wynne, North Dakota’s chief health strategist and dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. “We as citizens of North Dakota need to act now to limit further spread of the virus and thus prevent our hospital capacity from being threatened. Let’s do these things now so that by Thanksgiving the pandemic situation in North Dakota will be headed in the right direction.”

“Despite North Dakota’s remarkable efforts at testing and case finding, these measures are no longer enough, and we are now in desperate need of implementing stronger measures in order to save lives and preserve our health care workforce and capacity,” said Dr. Paul Carson, an infectious disease specialist, professor of public health at North Dakota State University and physician advisor to the state’s COVID-19 response. “We have a growing body of good evidence that masking, especially when paired with other mitigation strategies, can substantially reduce the spread of the virus. I am very grateful that the Governor has taken the bold measure to implement an enforced mask mandate across the state, and am hopeful this will help to flatten the curve.”

Changes came to the executive order on Wednesday, November 18, as Gov. Burgum met a wave of opposition from athletic coaches and parents regarding the break in sporting events. He announced practices for winter sports could resume on Monday, November 30, provided that adequate safety protocols were in places. Competitions will remain suspended until Dec. 14.

No travel will be allowed for association activities outside of the home territory and no locker room use. Coaches will be masked at all times and no spectators, with facilities restricted to players, coaches and staff only.

The step back on the executive order came after consultation between the governor and legislative leaders as well as input from the North Dakota High School Activities Association regarding corns about the impact the activity suspension with have on students’ well-being.

As of press time on Thursday, November 18, the statewide count for active positive cases of COVID-19 totaling more than 10,000. In Eddy County, Thursday’s numbers added 10 more active cases for a cumulative count of 47. To date, 51% of the county population has been tested, 282 individuals have recovered and four have died while infected by the virus. The most recent death was a man in his 80s.

Medical experts say small social gatherings with family and friends are also driving the current COVID-19 surge across the nation. Burgum urged North Dakotans to try to limit gatherings to their immediate household group as much as possible for the next four weeks and to wear a mask if gathering with people from outside the household.

For more information on North Dakota’s COVID-19 response, visit http://www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or http://www.ndresponse.gov.