Mayor Jacob Frey signed Emergency Regulation 2022-7, immediately lifting the city’s mask requirement established in Emergency Regulation No. 2022-1, which has been in place since January 5, 2022. The former regulation required patrons, employees and visitors to wear a mask in areas of public accommodation including any indoor locations where members of the public gather, visit or patronize and included bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, schools, recreational facilities, retail locations and service offices.
“The Twin Cities has good reason to be hopeful for the future, and I know that our residents will continue stepping up for one another as we navigate this next phase together,” said Frey. “While Minneapolis is experiencing a sustained downward trend in case and hospitalization rates, our public health team will continue closely monitoring relevant data–and that data will continue guiding policy decisions going forward.”
Rates in Minneapolis have been dropping rapidly and steadily, with a 7-day new case rate of 135 per 100,000 individuals and positivity rates below the high-risk threshold based on the latest reported data.
The City will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain nimble if there is a shift in indicators such as case rates, percent positivity, hospitalization rates and hospital bed capacity. Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), masks will continue to be strongly recommended in public indoor settings. Vaccines continue to be the strongest defense against COVID-19. Minneapolis residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and can visit the City’s vaccine website to learn more about vaccine safety and to find a vaccine appointment.
Individual organizations may still institute individual mask mandates.
The City of Minneapolis will continue to uphold mask mandates for city employees and city-managed buildings. Visitors and employees in city-managed buildings will still be required to wear a mask. The City of Saint Paul will also lift its masking requirement today for licensed businesses, while continuing its requirement for masking in city-controlled facilities.
The City of Minneapolis will continue to make masks available to businesses and organizations at no cost. Masks may be requested by emailing the City’s Health Department. Additionally, trainings on workplace safety can be accessed here. Full text of Frey’s Emergency Regulation can be found here.
