Minnesota Zoo to require masks for guests, starting Saturday

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APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Zoo is joining the list of facilities and organizations implementing a mask requirement for its guests amid the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant.

The zoo announced starting Saturday, Aug. 7 all guests aged 3 and up will be required to wear masks while indoors, whether or not they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 surge brings flood of changes to Minnesota

The COVID-19 delta variant surge brings a flood of changes to Minnesota, including a return of some mask requirements.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance to recommend people - vaccinated or not - in areas where the coronavirus is surging should wear a mask indoors.

Since the CDC's update, there's been a shift in the Twin Cities metro back to mask requirements in certain settings.

Minneapolis and St. Paul both issued mask requirements for employees and staff inside city-owned facilities. In St. Paul, this includes Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.
Minnesota state employees will also need to wear masks in the workplace.
Schools districts, such as Minneapolis Public Schools, are issuing mask mandates as well.
In addition to the Minnesota Zoo, other attractions are putting mask measures back in place. Starting Saturday, Minnesota Children's Museum will require masks for those aged 5 and older.

Minnesota is seeing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. As of Thursday, 270 people are hospitalized with the virus, triple the number from mid-July.