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.
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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.