Local News

By Chelsea Lee |

Minnesota COVID Restrictions Ending: Light at the End of the Tunnel

mask mandate ending

(St. Paul, MN)  After many months of tight COVID-19 protocols in the state of Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has laid out the plan over the new several weeks to return much closer to normal.

The three step plan would end the state COVID-19 restrictions by May 28; just prior to Memorial Day Weekend.  The plan would drop the mask mandate requirement by July 1st.  Governor Walz cited that cases are receding and that Minnesotans have protected health care capacity.  He adds that the vaccine progress is relentless and shots are readily available to all.

For the full details on Executive Order 21-21, click on this link.

STEP ONE: Immediate action on May 7th

The state of Minnesota will begin to relax certain restrictions, especially outdoors.

  • Outdoor Events – No capacity limits, no mask requirement for outdoor venues of fewer than 500 people.
  • Indoor Events – Increased occupancy for larger venues and increased group size to 10 people.
  • Social Gatherings – (Outdoors) No gathering limit (Indoors) Gathering limit increased to 50.
  • Restaurants – (Outdoors) No occupancy limits or distancing requirements (Indoors) Table size increased to 10.  No mandatory closing time.

STEP TWO: Ending state restrictions on May 28th

On May 28th State COVID-19 restrictions will end.  Indoor capacity limits and distancing requirements – indoors and outdoors.

Certain requirements will remain including masks worn indoors and for the largest outdoor events with controlled access.  Businesses must continue to have limited plans in place to keep their employees and customers safe.  They must also have key consumer protections.

STEP THREE: Ending statewide masking by July 1st

When 70% of Minnesotans age 16+ are vaccinated (or 3,087,404 state residents) or by July 1st, whichever is first, the mask mandate will end.

As of May 6th there are currently 2,614,319 people who have been vaccinated, leaving only roughly 473,000 to go.  Local jurisdictions and entities may still require masks.

SAFE LEARNING PLAN

The State’s Safe Learning Plan will stay in place through the end of the school year.  The state’s youngest Minnesotans are not yet eligible for the vaccine, but everyone else is.