Masks required in Twin Cities government buildings, advised elsewhere

Minneapolis and St. Paul renewed mask mandates in city facilities on Tuesday and encouraged people in the Twin Cities, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear them indoors in response to a variant-fueled wave of COVID-19.

While Minnesota has the ninth-lowest rate of new viral infections among states, according to a weekly federal profile report released Tuesday, the severe surges elsewhere in the U.S. and the recent local uptick prompted a wave of preparations. The state on Tuesday reported a 4% positivity rate of COVID-19 diagnostic testing - up from a low of 1.1% a month ago - and case and hospitalization rates that are back above caution thresholds.

"This pandemic is far from over," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in a statement. "These measures will help protect us as we continue our work to get our entire community vaccinated."

https://www.startribune.com/masks-required-in-twin-cities-government-buildings-advised-elsewhere/600084386/