Minneapolis, St. Paul reinstate indoor mask mandates

Minneapolis and St. Paul are reinstating indoor mask mandates, with mayors from both cities citing a rise in COVID-19 cases because of the highly contagious omicron variant.

Both mandates take effect at 5 p.m. Thursday. Minneapolis' order requires face coverings in "any indoor locations where members of the public may gather, visit or patronize." St. Paul's applies to businesses licensed by the city "at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained."

"We have to keep our city healthy and moving. Wearing a mask is an obvious next step to do both," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement Wednesday. "The surging numbers of cases and hospitalizations from the omicron variant demand immediate action to keep our residents healthy while making every effort to allow schools and businesses to remain safe and open across our Twin Cities."

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-st-paul-reinstate-indoor-mask-mandates/600132923/