(FOX 9) - Cities throughout in Minnesota are now requiring face coverings or masks to be worn in some places indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Face masks or face coverings can prevent people who are infected with COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are hard to maintain.
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Minnesota governor mulls over statewide mask requirement as more cities enforce their own mandates
As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mulls over a statewide mask requirement, more cities are enforcing their own mandates, with both support and opposition from the community.
Gov. Tim Walz is now facing mounting pressure from both sides on the idea of a mask mandate.
The following cities and institutions have some sort of mask requirment in place:
Minneapolis
Effective May 26, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued an emergency regulation requiring all people over the age of two and able to medically tolerate a face covering to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public indoor spaces, such as restaurants, retail businesses and government buildings.
Employees are also required to wear a mask or cloth face covering whenever they have face-to-face contact with the public.
The mask requirement will remain in effect until further notice.
St. Paul
Effective June 1, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued an executive order requiring face masks to be worn indoors in all city-controlled facilities and at all businesses licensed by the City of St. Paul. The order applies to all people except young children at risk of suffocation and those who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
Bemidji
Effective Tuesday, July 21, individuals ages 5 and older are required to wear masks or face coverings in indoor public spaces, including businesses.
Bloomington
Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse said he would issue a proclamation on Monday, July 13 requiring the use of face coverings in all city-owned buildings and strongly encouraging the use of masks in public places like stores and offices.
The Bloomington City Council has scheduled a public hearing on July 27 to consider an ordinance requiring masks to be worn throughout the community.
Duluth
On Monday, July 13, the Duluth City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution requiring residents and visitors to wear face coverings or masks in public indoor places, effective immediately. The mandate will remain in effect until Gov. Tim Walz ends his peacetime emergency declaration.
Edina
Effective July 9, the Edina City Council expanded the citywide masking policy requiring people to wear masks or cloth face coverings in businesses and city-owned buildings to include at restaurants when not seated at a table, on public transportation, at entertainment venues and in the common areas of apartment buildings.
Children under the age of 5, people with medical conditions that make it difficult to breathe, those who are deaf or hard of hearing or those who care for or interact with them and people who are unable to remove a mask without assistance are exempt from the order.
The new order will be in effect until Gov. Tim Walz enacts a statewide order, ends his peacetime emergency declaration, the City Council rescinds the order or Dec. 31—whichever comes first, according to the city website.
Mankato
Effective July 10, people 13 years and older who are medically able to tolerate a face covering are required to wear a face covering or mask in the City of Mankato. All employers of businesses considered spaces of public accommodation must require employees to wear a face covering whenever they have face-to-face contact with the public.
Minnetonka
On Monday, July 13, the Minnetonka City Council voted unanimously to implement a mask mandate for the city.
The mandate goes into effect on July 23
Rochester
Effective July 8, individuals are required to wear a face covering while in any public indoor space in Rochester, including restaurants and bars, retail businesses, gyms fitness centers, entertainment venues and on public transportation.
The mask requirement will be in effective until Sept. 4 unless Gov. Tim Walz issues a statewide mask mandate, the state’s peacetime emergency ends or city or county public health officials deem it no longer necessary.
Roseville
The Roseville City Council voted Monday, July 20 to amend existing emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic to include a face mask requirement.
Effective July 27, residents and visitors to Roseville must wear a face covering or mask that covers the mouth and nose in indoor areas accessible to the public.
St. Cloud
The St. Cloud City Council voted 5-2 to pass an emergency ordinance to require masks. The rule went immediately into effect the night of July 20. Face masks or coverings are required indoors. Children under the age of 5 and those unable to wear a mask due to medical or developmental reasons are exempt.
St. Louis Park
The St. Louis Park City Council adopted an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings in the city. The ordinance will go into effect Monday, July 27. The ordinance requires individuals to wear face coverings in restaurants and bars when not seated at a table, public transportation, entertainment venues, common spaces in multifamily residential and multitenant office buildings and outdoor spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Businesses will be required to post signs at their businesses notifying customers that face coverings are required. Read the full ordinance that was included in the July 21 city council meeting agenda.
Winona
Effective July 10, all Winona residents and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear face coverings indoors in public buildings and anywhere where physical distancing is difficult.
University of Minnesota
As of July 1, all University of Minnesota students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to use a face covering at all times when in any enclosed or indoor space on university campuses and properties with a few exceptions, such as in on-campus apartments or dorm rooms.