Mayor Jacob Frey has lifted the City’s mask requirement for indoor public areas, which had been in place since Jan. 5.
The former regulation required patrons, employees and visitors to wear a mask in any indoor locations where members of the public gather including bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, schools, recreational facilities, retail spaces and service offices.
According to Minneapolis officials, rates have been dropping rapidly and steadily, with a case rate of 135 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people and positivity rates below the high-risk threshold based on the latest reported data. The City said they will continue to closely monitor the situation to remain nimble if there is a shift in indicators such as case rates, percent of positivity, hospitalization rates and hospital bed capacity.
Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), masks continue to be strongly recommended in public indoor settings, but that mandate is being eased slightly as well.
Individual organizations may still require masks and the city of Minneapolis continues its mask mandates for city employees and city-managed buildings. Visitors and employees in city-managed buildings are still required to wear masks. Face coverings also continue to be required by the CDC on public transportation, including school buses.
According to health experts, vaccines are still the strongest defense against COVID-19.
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.
