NW Twin Cities

Commissioners in Wright County have two topics of discussion on their April 2 agenda – to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to discuss the future of county operations in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 

As of March 29, the State of Minnesota reported 503 positive tests have come back from patients believed to be suffering from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Nine people have died from the illness. In Wright County, six people have tested positive for the virus. 

Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer released a letter to his constituents through the county website after the state-wide stay-at-home order was announced by Gov. Tim Walz. 

"The Wright County Sheriff’s Office will close the Law Enforcement Center lobby effective Saturday, March 28, and will remain closed until further notice. You will still be able to access our front counters for such things as gun permits and records and will also have access to jail visitation, however, it will be by appointment only,” the sheriff wrote. 

All other public counters of the county courthouse are also closed. 

The sheriff also wanted to assure residents that he was counting on their cooperation to make sure the order was being followed.

“I want to ensure our community that Law Enforcement in Wright County will not be randomly stopping cars to ascertain who you are and what you are doing,” Deringer wrote. “We are asking for compliance to the governor’s order and will investigate complaints on a case-by-case basis. Before leaving home during this time, ask yourself a question. 'Is what I am about to do essential?' If not, please stay home.”

The stay-at-home order went into effect March 27 and runs through April 10. There are some exceptions – for essential activities, health and safety, to obtain necessary supplies and services, essential travel, outdoor activities, care of others, as long as those activities can be done maintaining social distance guidelines. All non-essential businesses and industries were ordered closed.