COVID-19 Information

General Information

The City of Winona and its Parks and Recreation department has been committed to keeping parks and public spaces open since the very first days of the pandemic. 

Here are general rules and guidelines for using parks and public spaces:

• Maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others at all times (family units are okay closer together)
• No group sports or activities that require close contact - this includes basketball
• Playgrounds are as long as folks practice physical distancing
• Bring hand sanitizer, and wash your hands after using the parks

Lake Park/Lake Winona Paths

The paths around East and West Lake Winona are open and can be used in both directions.

Please:

1. Slow down or speed up to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet
2. Joggers, consider stopping for 1 to 2 minutes and then starting again if you find yourself consistently close to another jogger
3. Announce yourself ("On your left!") when passing
4. Step aside into the grass when possible to allow families with strollers, those with walkers or in wheelchairs or scooters, and others to pass
5. Respect others’ needs for physical distancing - when in doubt, give others even more room than you think is necessary
6. If the portion of the East Lake Winona path adjacent to Lake Park Drive is crowded, consider moving to the road temporarily if you feel safer there

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on the East Lake Winona path, and must be leashed on the West Lake Winona path.

Trails

The trails remain open to all users - bikers, hikers, runners, walkers. Please use them as directed. Consider stepping off the trail to let other individuals or groups pass, or pausing or passing if you're near each other and heading in the same direction.

Group activities

Group activities are welcome as long as safe practices are followed - wear a mask, no close contact, etc. Employees monitor park and outdoor space usage and may ask groups to stop if they don't appear to be following the guidelines. The higher risk the activity, the more cautious participants must be. Here are some examples:

• High risk: Basketball
• Medium risk: Soccer, volleyball
• Low risk: Disc golf

Playgrounds

Playgrounds are open. Please keep children physically distant from one another as much as possible.

Dog Park

The dog park is open. Practice safe behavior, including physical distancing, and wearing a mask if you are near others.

City Hall

City Hall is open 8:30am to 4pm to the public, accessible through the main Lafayette Street door and adjacent accessible entrance and ramp. 

Visitors should not come to City Hall if they feel ill or have been knowingly exposed to COVID-19. Visitors should limit time in the building to 15 minutes, wear a mask, and maintain physical distance. Visitors will be asked to sign in for appointments longer than 15 minutes. Elevators will be open, and restrooms on the second floor available for public use.

Transit

Buses require regular fares. Riders are required to wear face masks or coverings and practice physical distancing. Buses are running on normal routes. Schedules have changed: Drivers have eliminated every third route in order to deep-clean the buses. View and download the revised schedule (PDF).

Library

The library is closed but providing most services online or through curbside pickup and delivery. Patrons are encouraged to use the library’s website and online resources.

Friendship Center

The Friendship Center is open for limited activities, including the wellness center, and senior advocates are meeting with clients. Keep up to date at the Friendship Center's website.

Parks & Recreation

Parks and outdoor spaces are open. Indoor facilities are beginning to open. Visit the Park & Recreation homepage for more details on facility use, reservations, and restrictions.

Purpose

COVID-19 has created significant challenges for local workers who may have been laid off, furloughed, or working reduced hours. The city is committed to sharing accurate, up-to-date information to help connect folks to critical resources during this time.

Minnesota Unemployment Benefits

Apply for unemployment benefits here, find contact info, and get answers to frequently asked questions.

You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if:

• You have temporarily or permanently lost your job or had your hours reduced because of COVID-19.
• You are a contract, freelance, or self-employed worker affected by COVID-19
• A healthcare professional or health authority recommended or ordered you to avoid contact with others due to COVID-19.
• You have been ordered not to come to their workplace due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
• You have received notification from a school district, daycare, or other childcare provider that either classes are canceled or your usual childcare is unavailable, as long as you made a reasonable effort to find other childcare and requested time off or other accommodation from your employer and no reasonable accommodation was available.

Worker Rights & Protections During COVID-19

The State of Minnesota’s Labor and Industry is providing a large resource page on a number of topics. The topics include:

• COVID-19 worker protections
• Health and safety resources for businesses
• Payment for changes in hours, including overtime
• Work breaks and rest periods
• Minnesota OSHA inspections
• Filing workplace complaints

If you have questions or want to contact a Labor and Industry representative, visit this page for email and phone numbers.

Job Resources

• Minnesota Careerforce Center: Good general and statewide resources, advice, tips and best practices for navigating and seeking jobs during COVID-19.
• Winona Careerforce Center
  • Address: 1250 Homer Road, Suite 200 (at Minnesota State Southeast, next to the main entrance
  • Phone: 507-205-6060
    
  • Email the Center
    
  • Hours: Online and remote appointments only; call or email for details.
  • Details: Part of a network of state-funded Centers that offer free one-on-one guidance, training, networking, labor market information and more to help individuals start, advance or change their career.
• Express Employment Professionals
  • Address: 1600 Gilmore Avenue
  • Phone:507-457-3311
    
  • Complete an online contact form.
    Details: Express Employment Professionals puts people to work in all types of jobs. Whether you’re looking for a short-term job to supplement your income or you’re building a new career, we offer the flexibility to work the way you want, and you’ll never pay a fee to Express for our services and support.
  • Looking for essential workers? Express can help your business hire drivers, warehouse/forklift operators, machine operators, maintenance/janitorial/sanitation, and eCommerce/customer service workers. Email Mike Dieter for more information.
• Manpower Winona
  • Address: 601 Huff Street
  • Phone:507-454-4044
    
  • Email Manpower Winona
    
  • Details: You can count on Manpower to find qualified applicants to fill full-time and part-time job openings in Winona, MN. Experience the difference with our online job search, expert career specialists, and personalized job placement.

Winona Job Boards

• Express Employment Winona
• Indeed (All Winona listings)
• LinkedIn (All Winona listings)
• Manpower Winona
• Minnesota Works (free Minnesota job board - registration required) CareerBuilder (All Winona listings)
• Monster (All Winona listings)

The city's COVID-19 Community Response team documents and communicates the city and community's response to COVID-19, as well as designs plans for future recovery.

The collaborative team includes more than a dozen city employees representing all city departments, from parks to police, as well as community experts across industries.

The team researches strategies and best practices from communities around the state, country and world to bring the best approaches to Winona. The team is designed to respond nimbly and adapt to the rapidly changing environment the pandemic has created, including planning for future outbreaks.

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook: City of Winona COVID-19 News and Information

Twitter: Follow @CityofWinona

Instagram: Follow @cityofwinona

As more and more residents get vaccinated, we’re here to answer your questions about which behaviors are again safe to engage in, which aren’t - and which you just need to be patient for.

Have a question? Email it to bvoerding@ci.winona.mn.us, or send us a DM on Facebook or Instagram.

Here are answers to common questions we’ve had so far from folks who have been vaccinated:

Can I gather with other vaccinated people, no masks or physical distancing?

Yes! It’s safest for everyone to be at least two weeks out from their second shot.

Can I gather with other unvaccinated family, no masks or physical distancing?

Yes - but just unvaccinated people from one other household at low risk of severe illness.

Is it okay to be unmasked around kids, like my grandkids?

If it’s just one household, yes. If it’s a group of unrelated kids, you should still wear a mask and physically distance. Vaccinations mostly haven’t reached children yet. Children have generally responded much better to COVID but the risk is still there.

I’ve been exposed - do I need to get tested or quarantine?

No. The CDC says neither are necessary unless you’re experiencing symptoms. Note: This advice only starts two weeks after your second shot. If you’re not there yet, consider quarantining for 7 days just to be safe.

I’ve heard the vaccine won’t prevent me from getting or spreading COVID. Is that true?

Yes - but. Yes you can still get COVID - but your immune system will recognize it so you’re much more likely to be asymptomatic or have a very mild case. Yes you can still spread COVID - but likely not nearly as strongly. The science is new and there’s a lot we don’t know yet so be patient - info is likely to change.

Why do I still have to wear a mask in public?

Many people have yet to be vaccinated, and we’re still a ways away from herd immunity or a similar milestone where masks may no longer be as effective at preventing COVID spread.

How long will we be wearing masks in public?

Hard to say. Expect it to last at least the next several months as vaccinations continue. The timeline may vary state to state. And masks may never completely go away - they may still be required during seasonal surges or at other times.

I’m a teacher. Do I still need to wear a mask and physically distance?

Yes. You can still get and transmit COVID, even at lower levels. And the vast majority of children are not vaccinated yet.

Should I have posted that photo of my vaccination card on social media?

Anything with even basic personal info can put you at risk for identity theft. But it’s exciting and historic, for sure - so if you want to share, a good approach is to hold your thumb or hand over personal info, or mark it out with your phone’s photo editor before posting.

Where can I travel?

Travel opportunities and restrictions don’t really change once you’re vaccinated. You will still be asked to practice the same behaviors as the general public - masks, physical distancing. And remember - you’re still capable of getting and spreading COVID.

What’s with all the talk about a vaccination passport?

It’s just that - talk. Some have suggested that vaccinated folks be issued documents proving they’ve been vaccinated, which would in theory provide them with access to certain places, a broader ability to travel, or exemptions from masks or other behaviors. But there’s been little interest by states or the federal government in considering anything like this, and a ton of complications and legal questions about whether it would even work.

I lost my vaccination card - how do I get a new one?

Call the public health department of the county where you were vaccinated. The number for Winona County is 507-457-6400.

I live in one county or state and was vaccinated in another. How do I get my records transferred?

Two ways. Contact the public health department where you were vaccinated (Winona County's number is 507-457-6400) and ask them to transfer the record, or tell your medical provider - they can enter your info into the state's immunization records.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Department of Health, Washington Post

The City of Winona and Winona County Public Health are teaming up to encourage residents to get vaccinated - and we need your support!

We’re looking for people across Winona and Winona County to share why they got vaccinated and what they’re looking forward to. By participating, you enter to win one of several $25 gift cards to a local business of your choice, courtesy of Engage Winona!

We’re asking folks to use their phone to record a casual, short video (no more than 1-2 minutes), responding to these prompts. Or take a photo (vaccination selfie if you have one, personal info removed) and write your responses to:

• My name is XX (optional - say your organization/title, or community role) - and I’m vaccinated.

• I got vaccinated because… (share your personal story - why it mattered most to you)

• Now that I’m vaccinated, I’m looking forward to…

• I’m vaccinated - your turn, Winona County!

Ideas for what you’re looking forward to can include:

• Holding summer parties with family and friends

• Hosting my celebration (family reunion/wedding/graduation/birthday/etc.)

• Hugging my friends

• Getting together and relaxing without masks

• Traveling for summer vacation

Share on social media using #yourturnwinonacounty, and tag us in the post (FB: City of Winona Covid-19, Winona County Health; IG: @cityofwinona). Or send it directly by email to Brian at bvoerding@ci.winona.mn.us.

We’ll be publishing these on the city and county’s social media and websites in the coming weeks and months, as well as announcing gift card winners!