NEW ULM — Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz issued a new emergency executive order restricting social gatherings, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The order will restrict how certain businesses operate, but it is too soon to tell how it will impact local businesses.

The new restrictions limit the number of people at bars and restaurants and the hours of operation, but many establishments were already following similar guidelines. The new order caps the number of people in a bar or restaurant at 50% of capacity or at less than 150. It closes dine-in services between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Many establishments in New Ulm have already limited customers to below this guideline and taken to closing early.

Wedding event venues are likely to be the most affected by the change. On Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, event venues will be restricted to a 50-person limit. The restriction will become even tighter on Dec. 11 when the maximum limit becomes 25 people.

Best Western Plus General Manager Erin Lafferty said rentals of the hotel’s conference room has already been impacted. There were events canceled or postponed since the restriction was announced. Some business conferences will still meet the restriction but the larger events have already been moved to 2021. Even before Walz’s latest executive order, weddings booked at the Best Western this year were being rescheduled for 2021.

“Capacity is still a question,” Lafferty said. Many in the industry are waiting to see how long the new restrictions are in place or if they will tighten in a few months.

“It is too early to say how this will impact us,” Lafferty said. She is hopeful restrictions will go back to the previous level or the COVID vaccine will be released in spring. This would allow postponed events to continue as planned.

These new restrictions come after the United States faced a record of 132,797 new COVID cases on November 6. The United States saw an average of 103,657 new cases each day over the first week of November. Minnesota saw four days of record-setting daily COVID cases. On November 8, the state reported a record of 5,908 new cases.

The restrictions, in brief:

Celebrations, receptions and similar events:

Venues may host planned celebrations, reception or other social gatherings connected to private parties such as weddings, funerals, life milestones, family reunions, religious services and other similar occasions if a COVID-19 preparedness plan is implemented.

Phased-in approach:

• Nov. 27: 50-person limit

• Dec. 11: 25-person limit

The event may not take place between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m.

No change to the ceremony, only the connected reception afterward.

Bars and Restaurants:

• 50% of capacity, no more than 150 people

• Counter closed for seating and service unless counter-only establishment

• No dine-in service 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. May remain open for delivery and takeout

• Effective 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13

Social Gatherings:

All social gatherings, whether indoor or outdoors, are limited to 10 people. Gatherings are also limited to three households or less, including the host.