UNDATED (LEARFIELD) – Seventh District Congressman Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) says statewide COVID restrictions imposed by fellow Democrat, Governor Tim Walz are harming the rural economy.

Peterson says he’s had a number of discussions with the governor about Minnesotans losing business because neighboring North Dakota and South Dakota have looser restrictions.

“It’s very hard to explain to them why they should be shut down when it’s Minneapolis, St. Cloud are the areas that are really having the problem,” said Peterson.

There are no statewide mask mandates in either North Dakota or South Dakota.

Peterson says he has had a number of conversations with Gov. Walz about the issue.

“Because we’re against North and South Dakota we’ve got problems with people losing business across the border to state’s that have different criteria than we do,” Peterson added.

Governor Walz contends having one in Minnesota, combined with social distancing, is the best way to control what many officials fear will be a resurgence of COVID-19.