Gov. Tim Walz To Repeal Statewide Mask Mandate

MINNESOTA — Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday that he will repeal the statewide mask mandate as soon as Friday morning. The announcement comes hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dramatically loosened its indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can safely stop wearing masks inside in most places both indoors and outdoors, according to the CDC.

Minnesotans who are not vaccinated are still "strongly recommended" to wear masks. Businesses and local governments in the state are allowed to enforce their own rules on masks.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said she had "mixed feelings" about Thursday's announcement from the CDC, citing concerns that unmasked people who aren't yet vaccinated could still spread the virus.

Walz struck a more optimistic tone but said it's still very important that everyone who is eligible seek the vaccine.

"This great day is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective," Walz said in a statement.

Walz and Malcolm did not wear masks during Thursday's news conference.

"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."

Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for schools, which requires masks, will continue through the spring.

More than 60 percent of Minnesota residents 16 and older — or 2,660,945 people — have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Just over 49 percent have completed their vaccine series.

Walz announced earlier in May that once 70 percent of Minnesotans ages 16 and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the mask mandate will end.

Also read: Where Can Kids 12 To 15 Get Vaccinated In Minnesota: LIST