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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Medical resources
- City services
- Business & unemployment resources
- Share the message
- Ways to help
- Other resources
Vaccination
How Minnesotans can get their shot at no cost
- Walk in or make an appointment
- Find a vaccine provider near you
- Search nationally for vaccine appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer)
- Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy
- Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities
County vaccine information
Rice County vaccine information
Dakota County vaccine information
Testing
COVID-19 community testing popup event locations
COVID-19 health clinics and hospital testing locations
Data and statistics
Masks
Working together
If we all work together, we can get through this crisis, and we can save lives. Following the state recommendations will reduce the number of infected people in our community and slow the spread of the virus.
Protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19
Please help do these simple things to be help our community:
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a mask when around others
- Keep at least 6 feet between you and others
- Call your health care provider if you think you need care
Pay attention to your mental health and reduce stress
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise
- Create a regular routine
- Connect with family and friends through calls, texts, or video chats
- Get information from reliable sources
- Reach out if you need to talk to someone
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- "TalkWithUs" Text 66746
If you are sick
Northfield Hospital and Clinics is able to test patients.
Health resources
Minnesota Department of Health
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Northfield Hospital and Clinics
Hotlines
Health questions (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.): 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
We are committed to maintaining essential city services to the community. Your safety and the safety of our staff is of utmost concern. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented and difficult time.
We continue to follow the recommendations from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health.
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (PDF)
Health screening checklist (PDF)
Building inspections
Building inspections is open.
Bus tokens
Bus tokens can be purchased at:
- Just Food Co-Op
- Cub Foods
City Hall
City Hall is open. Call to make appointments for necessary administrative services.
Main phone: 507-645-8833.
DMV
The DMV is open.
The deadline to obtain a Real ID is May 3, 2023 and the criteria for identification proof was broadened.
Learn more about renewing vehicle tabs
Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services news
Garbage and recycling
Pickup days for curbside recycling and garbage is normal. DSI has normal service for bulk pickup, trash and recycling.
Hospital
Northfield Hospital and Clinics
Northfield Hospital and Clinics is able to test any symptomatic patient and asymptomatic people (no symptoms) who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID. Exposure is being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes without a mask to a person who has tested positive for COVID.
More information is available on the health tips and resources section on this webpage.
Ice arena
The ice arena is open.
Library
The library building is open and our online resources are open! If you or anyone in your household is sick or has symptoms, do not enter the library. Wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose is required to protect library staff and other patrons. If you don’t have a mask, we’ll give you one to keep. Fabric masks are offered for free and are reusable. Limit your stay. Toys and many soft furnishings have been removed to facilitate a clean and sanitary environment. Library staff are cleaning and disinfecting at regular intervals throughout the day. Follow social distancing. Keep 6 feet from library staff and other patrons. Follow staff guidance, posted signs, and floor markings to ensure adequate spacing.
All programming and outreach events may be modified. We encourage you to take advantage of our electronic resources such as ebooks, movies and e-audio books. We are growing our robust online content to provide services.
If you don’t have a library card call the library Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for immediate access to our online content.
507-645-6606
Liquor store
The Northfield Liquor Store is open.
Hours
Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Call ahead orders 507-645-5153
Meetings
City Council meetings are in person.
If residents would like to comment on City Council items, we recommend using the online commenting feature. Once the City Council agenda is published, the eComment link will be active. Residents can review agenda item details, indicate their position on an item and leave feedback by clicking on the eComment tab on the City Council meetings page
Comments may be submitted until noon on the day of the meeting. Residents may also use the Register to Speak option to sign up in advance to speak at the meeting.
Directions on using eComment and Register to Speak
Police
The Police Department is providing public safety services but modifying some procedures.
For non-emergency services, please call 645-4477.
As always, for emergencies dial 911.
Pool
The pool is open during the summer. Visit the pool page for more information.
Streets
No interruption in service. We are maintaining city streets.
Utility bills
Four options to pay:
- Pay utility bill online
- Phone: 1-877-885-7968 (Payment Service Network)
- Drop box - put payment in an envelope and drop in the drop box by west entrance.
Water and wastewater
The City water department are providing clean and safe drinking water. We continue to handle safe and sanitary management of waste from our wastewater plant.
Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and body waste down your toilet.
Reopening guidelines
Reopening guidelines from the CDC
Stay Safe guidance for businesses and organizations
Relief packages
The following is a list of current relief packages that small business may use during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Northfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) encourages all to support our impacted businesses directly by using the take-out and delivery options.
Staff is being attentive to the changing business climate, and monitoring federal and state agency relief that may be offered. These programs are being developed and rolled out as quickly as possible.
Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce
We are coordinating with the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and will work together to distribute information to the business community during this critical time. We are also coordinating with the Northfield Chamber to understand local business impacts and realize there are immediate impacts and longer-term ones we cannot currently predict.
Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Temporary expansion of outdoor dinning area
Interested restaurant and dining establishments must complete an application to extend their service area onto City owned property or right of way. The application must be reviewed and approved by the City before the expansion takes place.
Temporary Expansion of Dinning Area (no liquor) Application
Temporary Expansion of Dinning Area and Liquor Application
Northfield Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Staff continues to examine opportunities for local support. Staff has limited capacities due to assisting with other city services for COVID-19 responses and maintain daily operations. Any ideas for possible assistance can be shared with Economic Development Coordinator Nate Carlson.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Small Business Emergency Loan Program
The Department of Employment and Economic Development is working with the Governor’s office to receive SBA funding through the disaster declaration from the Federal government. Executive Order 20-15 directs DEED to create a Small Business Emergency Loan Program by making available $30 million from special revenue funds. These dollars will be used by DEED’s lender network to make loans of between $2,500 and $35,000 for qualifying small businesses. The loans will be 50% forgivable, and offered at a 0% interest rate. If other financing becomes available to small businesses that received an emergency loan, such as federal funding, the emergency loan must be repaid. These emergency loans will be made by an existing network of lenders DEED works with across the state.
All potentially impacted businesses should send questions about this emergency loan program to the Emergency Loan Program.
The executive order also allows local units of government or lending partners, which have a revolving loan fund to use those funds, to issue loans to retail and service providers for the next 90 days.
State guidelines for the use of these funds
DEED does have existing programs that may assist with small business through the Emerging Entrepreneur Program or Indian Business Loan Program. DEED gave permission for cities to use their MIF dollars for emergency loans.
More information
News article on emergency declaration
DEED information for workers and employers
Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI)
The state of Minnesota office for Unemployment Insurance offers assistance to employers avoid layoffs. The program offers paid unemployment benefits to offset part of employees reduced wages.
DEED is encouraging all employers impacted by COVID-19 to communicate to their employees that unemployment insurance is available. All employees who are laid off or furloughed should be applying for unemployment insurance. The State of Minnesota Office for unemployment insurance has ensured impacted workers that unemployment insurance is available and flexible for all those impacted. Minnesota Unemployment Insurance also has a shared work program that offers paid unemployment benefits to offset part of employees reduced wages. Eligibility for this program requires that businesses UI Tax Account balance be paid in full, workforce of business cannot be seasonal or temporary, and owner/officer information must be up to date.
Applying for unemployment benefits
Email unemployment insurance questions and inquiries
Unemployment insurance for self-employed people and independent contractors
The CARES Act, that passed Congress, has funds in it to be given to self-employed, independent contractors, and others that would not normally qualify for unemployment insurance. This is known as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has begun to issue payments to people that qualify for this program.
If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. They expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April 2021. There is no need to call or follow-up; you will hear from them proactively if they need additional information to determine eligibility. You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail. Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600 per week additional payment.
PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors
More information
Shared Work - alternative to layoff
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
This program provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19.
More information about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Additional resources
All coronavirus-related federal government resources
DEED’S COVID-19 information and resources for businesses
U.S. Small Business Administration
Sign up for updates from the SBA
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Toolkit
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce put together a resource summary for small business to adhere to during the outbreak.
Resources to help your small business survive the coronavirus
Want to help share our message? Use these materials to spread the message.
Social media images
Please download these images to use on social media. We appreciate your help sharing our message!
Posters and flyers
Protect the herd, wear a mask 11x17 in English and Spanish (PDF)
Face coverings recommended even for vaccinated 11x17 in English (PDF)
Face coverings recommended even for vaccinated 11x17 in Spanish(PDF)
Face coverings not required 11x17 in English (PDF)
Face coverings not required 11x17 in Spanish (PDF)
Protect the herd, wear a mask 8.5x11 (PDF)
Protect the herd, wear a mask 11x17 (PDF)
Protect the herd, wear a mask 11x17 in Spanish (PDF)
Fishing social distancing 11x17 (PDF)
Fishing social distancing 11x17 in Spanish (PDF)
Wear a mask poster 24x36 (PDF)
Wear a mask square image (PNG)
More materials
Volunteering
If you need help in finding these opportunities, The Community Action Center is collecting names of people who are willing to volunteer. Visit their website to learn more and to register for their contact list to be contacted as volunteer needs arise or as some volunteers step aside to rest, heal, and quarantine in the days and weeks to come.
If you have healthcare expertise, janitorial skills, or sanitation supplies, they can use you immediately. Please contact the Community Action Center:
Shopping
Shop our local stores and restaurants, either online or by phone. Get take-out or delivery.
Please respect neighbors by only purchasing the necessary amount of food and other necessities. If you have extra and are aware of others in need please share with them.
Give blood
Donating blood products is essential to community health and the need for blood products is constant. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need.
There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need.
Don’t know where to start?
State of Minnesota COVID-19 website
United Way or call 211 or text MNCOVID to 898211
All Northfield community assistance resources (PDF)
State resources
State of Minnesota COVID-19 website
Governor’s COVID-19 response and preparation
Community services and financial assistance
Discrimination, mistreatment and human rights or call 651-539-1133
Child care and family
Child care resources and options
Greater Minnesota emergency child care grant program
Rice County Social Services 507-332-6115
School and childcare questions (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.): 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
DHS hotline for childcare providers: 1-888-234-1268
Consumer protection
Employment and work
Employer and worker information
Food
Food assistance programs and services
Housing
Housing - help finding or paying for housing
Places of worship
Guidance for places of worship
Schools
School and childcare questions (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.): 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504