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1. What does the governor's executive order mean?

An executive order by Governor Tim Walz increased restrictions for fitness centers, restaurants, bars, gatherings and more for four weeks, effective beginning Friday, November 20, at 11:59 p.m., through at least Friday, December 18

Please continue to follow the state’s "Stay Safe” and “Dial Back” plans, wear masks, social distance, wash hands and stay home if you’re sick. Your actions matter, and will help protect yourself, your family and your fellow Hopkins residents.

2. What City facilities are open to the public? What facilities are closed?

City Hall

Staff at City Hall are available by appointment. To make an appointment to meet with staff, you may call the main line at 952-935-8474, or call or email the department you need assistance from directly. You can find staff contact information on our website at www.hopkinsmn.com/Directory. Residents are asked to wear masks while interacting with staff in-person. 

In addition, City Council and Board and Commission meetings will be held virtually until it is deemed safe to hold them in-person.

Depot Coffee House

The Depot Coffee House is open with reduced hours. More about the Depot is available at www.thedepotcoffeehouse.com.

Hopkins Activity Center

The Hopkins Activity Center is closed to in-person services and (non-school related) programming. More information on virtual programming and how to get involved can be found at www.hopkinsmn.com/activitycenter.

Hopkins Center for the Arts

The Hopkins Center for the Arts is closed and all in-person programming and events are canceled. Virtual exhibitions and programming information is available at www.hopkinsartscenter.com.

Hopkins Fire Department

The Hopkins Fire Department is currently closed to the public. No fire department tours are being offered at this time.

Hopkins Pavilion

The Hopkins Pavilion is closed to in-person (non-school related) programming . More information is available at www.hopkinspavilion.com. 

Hopkins Police Department

The Hopkins Police Department is currently closed to the public. Records may be requested by calling 952-938-8885.

Hopkins Public Works

Hopkins Public Works is currently closed to the public. 

3. Do I have to wear a mask in Hopkins?

Yes. Face masks are required indoors in Hopkins and throughout Minnesota. On Wednesday, July 22, Governor Tim Walz announced a statewide order requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in restaurants, stores and other public indoor gathering places. 

The face mask requirement is intended to add to (and not substitute for) other practices (such as hand washing, staying home when sick, and maintaining appropriate physical distancing of at least six feet) as recommended by public health officials to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Individuals who fail to comply with the mask mandate can be punished with a petty misdemeanor and a fine of $100.

4. Can I expect the same level of service from City departments during the pandemic?

While our City facilities may be closed, we are committed to providing a high level of essential services, including public safety (police and fire) and utilities (sewer, water and streets).

During Governor Walz’s Executive Order, City staff will also be working to provide necessary services to the community. Residents and community members are encouraged to connect with staff through our website, by phone or by email. 

Find staff contact information 

Anyone in need of immediate (non-emergency) assistance should call the City’s main line at 952-935-8474.

5. How can I stay informed about City actions?

Updates from the City of Hopkins will be posted on the City website. Sign up for email updates at www.hopkinsmn.com/connections. 

6. Where can I find the most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 situation in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Health website is updated frequently with the latest information about COVID-19. Individuals in need of more information can call the MDH hotline at 651-201-3920.

7. How can I participate in a City Council meeting?

Residents can watch City Council meetings live on Channel 16. Meetings are also streamed live at www.hopkinsmn.com/349/Watch-Meetings-Live-On-Demand.

8. Are parks, trails and open spaces open to the public?

Yes.

The City of Hopkins Emergency Management, Police and Public Works are working cooperatively to monitor park use. 

It is the City’s goal to maintain access to our parks, trails and park amenities while ensuring the health and safety of Hopkins residents. 

• Signs have been placed at park play equipment and play courts to encourage compliance with social distancing.
• Park users should maintain proper social distancing at all times in all areas of our parks, including the fields and open spaces. 
• Group sports (basketball, soccer, etc.) are not social distancing compliant and should not occur.
• In parks where CDC precautions are being repeatedly ignored,the City may be forced to remove nets and/or basketball hoops. 
• Stay home if you are sick. 
• Avoid touching your face and wash hands thoroughly after visiting parks and trails or using park amenities. 

Consistent with the governor’s executive order 20-20 which exempted parks and recreational lands and did not mandate the closure of playgrounds, Hopkins park areas remain open, providing opportunities for residents to stay active and connected as a community during these uncertain times. 

To keep them open, accessible and safe, we strongly urge everyone to use our parks, trails and park amenities responsibly. 

9. What can I do to protect myself and the community?

You can help protect yourself and others in the community by:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and often.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes.
• Not touching your face.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces you touch daily.
• Practicing social distancing.
• Staying at home if you are sick.

10. What should I do if I have experienced or witnessed COVID-discrimination?

Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan launched a Discrimination Helpline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Minnesota residents who experience or witness bias and discrimination can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit this online form. Translation/interpretation services are available. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you have been the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.

11. Am I being targeted by a COVID-related scam?

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United States Department of Justice, there have been reports of many different COVID-19-related scams, including:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• People seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. 

You can protect yourself from scams:

• Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
• Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages or over the phone.
• Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
• Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding.  Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money. In addition, Xcel Energy (or any other public utility) will not cut off service with a phone call. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and reach out to the agency or utility company via the internet, mobile application, or contact information found on your bill. 
• Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.
• Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating.  

More information on COVID-19 related scams is on the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/covid-scams.