Minneapolis, St. Paul to require vaccine proof to get into bars, restaurants

The moves come as an increasing number of large, Democrat-led cities across the country are adopting similar rules

Jan 13, 20220

Jeff Wheeler - Star Tribune count

Gail Nelson with the Hennepin Theatre Trust, left, checked the ID of Dorothy Hamman after seeing her vaccination status in an app on her phone in the lobby of the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Minneapolis and St. Paul will require customers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues, marking some of the most aggressive steps the Twin Cities have taken to curb the spread of the virus.

The action comes as officials are trying to temper a spike in infections and hospitalizations fueled by the fast-spreading omicron variant, which is causing staffing shortages across industries.

"This is a critical next step to avoid closures," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a virtual news conference alongside St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and other officials. "We want to stay open, and we need to stay safer."

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-st-paul-to-require-covid-vaccine-proof-to-get-into-bars-restaurants/600135178/