Minneapolis Mayor Repeals Citywide Mask Mandate

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey moved to immediately lift the city's local mask mandate Tuesday. The mask requirement had been in place since May of 2020.

Nearly 79 percent of Minneapolis residents who are 15 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the city. About 69 percent of all Minneapolis residents 15 and older are fully vaccinated.

As more residents receive the vaccine, coronavirus cases continue to decline in Minneapolis, the city said. The seven-day rolling average is consistently less than 10 cases per 100,000 people.

"Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken a data-driven approach to making public health decisions, and now in the final stretch we will continue following the science," Frey said in a news release.

"After a thorough review of public health data, Minneapolis is reaching vaccination rates above the recommended threshold for safely lifting this policy - but it doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Our team at the local level will continue working with trusted community partners and neighboring jurisdictions to expand our outreach efforts in BIPOC and immigrant neighborhoods."

Gov. Tim Walz revoked the statewide mask mandate on May 14, but local governments and private businesses can enforce their own policies.

As of Tuesday afternoon, St. Paul's local mask mandate remains in effect.

Also read: Free Beer, Wine Offered For Vaccinated Minnesotans: Info