Fox21Online
May 13, 2021
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9)– Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he will sign an order Friday morning to fully remove the statewide mask mandate after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated people can go without masks indoors.
Walz made the announcement during a press conference Thursday evening alongside Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom, who said she had “mixed feelings” about the new step.
“This great day is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective,” said Walz. “Once you are fully vaccinated you are protected. You can confidently return to the people you love and things that you miss – all without a mask. The message is clear get vaccinated and let’s put the pandemic behind us once and for all.”
By Dubs
Earlier today the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks.
Gov. Tim Walz is set to end the mask mandate Friday morning. Walz made the announcement at a Thursday evening press conference, according to WCCO.
“We’re still analyzing everything that came out of this announcement,” Walz said, noting that for him personally, “It has been a challenge this year not to see folks smile … We’re excited about this.”
Private businesses and local governments may still have face covering rules in place. For Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan, existing face coverings for schools and child care settings remain in effect.
Move comes after new CDC guidelines.
Posted: May 13, 2021 6:16 PM
Updated: May 13, 2021 6:44 PM
Posted By: Mike Bunge
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz says he will sign an executive order Friday morning to end the state’s mask mandate.
The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks outdoors in crowds or in most indoor settings. Walz says Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors. Private businesses and local municipalities may still put in place face-covering requirements and the state s Safe Learning Plan, along with the existing face-covering guidance for schools and child care settings, remain in effect.
Walz Will Sign Order Friday to End Statewide Mask Mandate
ST. PAUL Minnesota Governor
Tim Walz says, following the announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesotans who are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus no longer need to wear a mask.
Walz says he ll sign the executive orders on Friday morning to fully remove the statewide mask mandate.
Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors.
Just last week Walz announced a three-step approach to easing COVID-19 restrictions with the last step the removal of the mask mandate, which was supposed to happen on July 1st or when 70 percent of the state s population age 16 and older had at least one dose of the vaccine, whichever came first.
Thursday was a big day in Minnesota in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the end of Minnesota s statewide mask requirement, which is in alignment with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on face coverings.
While this is encouraging news, COVID-19 cases continue across the state and Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to continue to wear face coverings indoors.
“This great day is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective,” said Governor Walz. “Once you are fully vaccinated you are protected. You can confidently return to the people you love and things that you miss – all without a mask. The message is clear get vaccinated and let’s put the pandemic behind us once and for all.”