North Dakota governor sees no need for “shelter in place” order yet (Audio)

April 7, 2020

BISMARCK, N.D.–North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is again saying he doesn’t yet see the need to issue a formal “shelter-in-place” order to combat the COVID-19 virus.

Burgum has been calling for “personal responsibility,” following CDC guidelines of social distancing, frequent hand washings, and staying home when you’re sick.

Burgum has closed bars, dine-in restaurants, and personal care businesses because of the pandemic. Those closures are through April 20th, but could be extended. 

Meanwhile, in South Dakota, mayors, nurses and doctors have urged Gov. Kristi Noem to take action to restrict daily activity.

From online petitions to open letters to the Republican governor, many think she is not taking enough action to curb the spread of the virus.

Noem has budged a little. She issued an executive order Monday to more forcefully tell businesses to limit group gatherings to 10.

She also ordered people in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties to stay home for the next three weeks if they are over 65 or have chronic health conditions. But Noem also says she will continue to allow businesses to stay open.