Mask mandates lifted in Minneapolis, St. Paul
The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis have lifted the cities’ mask mandates, effective immediately.
Both mandates went into effect Jan. 5 and required masks in public indoor public spaces, including schools, restaurants and retail locations, in response to the growing spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
In a statement, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the move comes as COVID rates have been dropping rapidly in the city. He said public health officials will continue to closely monitor the situation and that masks will still be strongly recommended indoors in public.
St. Paul also pointed to a drop in case rates, positivity rates and hospitalizations in Ramsey County for ending the requirement.
The mask mandate remains in effect for city buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul, for both visitors and employees. Individual organizations may still institute mask requirements.
Statewide, new daily COVID cases are trending at their lowest point since September, offering evidence of a rapidly receding surge.
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