May 13, 2021
Minnesota To Lift Mask Mandate Friday Following CDC Changes For Those Fully Vaccinated; Mpls & St. Paul To Keep Local Masking Requirements

Update: Late Thursday evening, mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul announced they will keep local mask mandates in place pending conversations with public health officials.

Governor Walz announced this evening that he will lift Minnesota's mask mandate tomorrow. The Governor plans to sign an executive order in the morning with no distinctions between those vaccinated and those not vaccinated.

The Governor made a plea to all Minnesotans to get vaccinated as the state takes this step.

Earlier today President Biden and the CDC announced that Americans fully vaccinated can
"resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, incl. local business and workplace guidance.”

MnRA recommends retailers clearly communicate their employee and customer expectations as this transition occurs. Retailers and other businesses may keep masking requirements in place for employees and/or customers if desired.
Minnesota Retailers Association Statement On Masking Changes

The CDC guidance and Governor Walz’s announcement on dropping Minnesota’s mask mandate tomorrow is a welcome step celebrating Minnesota’s vaccination progress and pandemic response. The announcement carried with it an important reminder that businesses--including retail stores—can still make their own decisions on masking.
 
Some retailers will lift masking requirements and others will keep them in place. We remind everyone that during this transition it is important to respect the requests of businesses as they look to make the best decisions possible when it comes to the safety of customers and workers.
 
Minnesota’s retailers are excited to near the end of the pandemic emergency and appreciate shoppers and employees helping Minnesota get there.
www.mnretail.org/covid-19
MnRA's COVID-19 resource page for retailers updated daily at https://www.mnretail.org/covid-19. Visit the page for state and federal updates as well as links to resources.

* Publication note: Distribution of this issue of Retail At The Capitol has been expanded beyond our normal members-only distribution list given the importance of the updates surrounding COVID-19. If you do not normally get this publication and would like to contact us at info@mnretail.org.
MnRA's Government Relations Team
MnRA is proud to represent Minnesota's diverse and vital retail industry. Here is your team dedicated to helping you connect with elected officials and telling the story of retail:
Savannah Sepic
Government Relations Manager,
Minnesota Retailers Association
Tom Freeman
Government Relations Consultant,
Faegre Drinker
Bruce Nustad
President,
Minnesota Retailers Association
Minnesota Retailers Association
400 Robert Street North, Suite 1540
St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel. (651) 227-6631
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