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Debate in North Dakota over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in North Dakota in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in North Dakota

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in North Dakota.

  • Governor Doug Burgum (R) (YouTube: North Dakota Department of Health): Gov. Doug Burgam (R) said that only a small portion of the economy in North Dakota was actually required to close through his executive order, which ordered personal care businesses, entertainment businesses, and bars and restaurants to close, and that if other businesses closed, they did so voluntarily. He also stated that moving towards reopening depends on testing and the availability of hospital beds and PPE.

    "Let's not let the national discussion blur into North Dakota about what's open or closed [...] people say we should lead the nation; well we are leading the nation because we've already got more open than most other states do." - "April 21st, 2020 COVID-19 Press Conference," April 21, 2025.

  • Health Freedom North Dakota (Facebook): Health Freedom North Dakota organized a protest of state-mandated closures on April 20 at the North Dakota State Capital.

    "We are responsible, common sense North Dakotans. Those who are at risk, ill or otherwise have concerns, can continue to self-isolate. Those who are healthy and at low-risk can continue to exercise voluntary social distancing within reason. BUT there is NO reason to continue to use government force to keep our state shut down! We are killing our communities. It's time to stop this." - "Protest to Put North Dakotans Back to Work," April 20, 2025.

  • North Dakota U.S. Congressional Candidate Roland Riemers (The Dickinson Press): "The whole idea of closing (businesses) to begin with was we had to give time for the hospitals to get organized, so they can handle the influx of patients. Well, the hospitals are basically empty right now. We've got the capacity, and we need to get businesses going because too many people are suffering." - "Protesters at Capitol push governor to reopen North Dakota businesses," April 20, 2020.

  • North Dakota state Rep. Joshua Boschee (D) (The Dickinson Press): "I don't think gathering in a crowd of 150 or more people is demonstrating that you're committed to making sure we can open up business." - "Protesters at Capitol push governor to reopen North Dakota businesses," April 20, 2020.

  • North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R) (The Bismarck Tribune): "We're on the right track because of the actions we've taken collectively, but I want to say again at this time we are not far enough down that track to safely lift business closures." - "Gov. Burgum extends North Dakota business closures through April 30," April 16, 2020.


Debate over the reopening plan in North Dakota

See also: Debate over reopening plans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the reopening plan in North Dakota.

  • Mayor Tim Mahoney (D) (Inforum): Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney (D) argued that there is no perfect time to reopen the economy.

    "The same conversations and concerns about reopening at the beginning of May would likely have also been raised if we were discussing a June or a July reopening; there simply is no perfect time. As both a physician and a mayor, I continually balance the human/personal considerations with the data/analytics when making decisions." - "Fargo pegged as potential coronavirus hot spot as North Dakota plans to ease restrictions," April 28, 2020.

  • Governor Doug Burgum (R) (The Bismark Tribune): "Any business owner has got the right to choose when they’re open or not, and if you’re uncomfortable, whatever business you’re in, about reopening, about the safety of yourself, your team members or others, you can choose not to reopen. Or, of course, you can choose at any time to come up with a new business model that might allow you to keep your business going but have more distance involved." - "North Dakota releases new operating guidelines for closed, restricted businesses," April 28, 2020.

  • Kylie Oversen, chairwoman of North Dakota Democratic-NPL (North Dakota Democratic-NPL): "The governor said today he’s fine taking greater risks with the health of North Dakotans, and we hope people don’t get sick or die as a result. We’re concerned he’s caving to orders from Washington and those in his party who have publicly refused to follow his executive order any longer. We will hold judgment until the new rules and guidelines are announced." - "Gov. Burgum Ready to “Dial Up a Little Risk” With North Dakotans’ Health," April 27, 2020.


Debate over school closures in North Dakota

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in North Dakota.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over religious service restrictions in North Dakota

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in North Dakota.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over election policy in North Dakota

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in North Dakota.


Responses to the coronavirus in North Dakota

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (North Dakota)

Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in North Dakota.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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