Dem Minnesota Gov Issues Statewide Mask Mandate

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports:

Gov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores, public buildings and other places where people gather indoors, a dramatic extension of his emergency powers in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that still appears on the upswing in many states.

The new rules takes effect Saturday and would apply to most indoor spaces outside people’s homes, as well as some outdoor venues where social distancing is difficult.

Diners, for example, would be expected to wear masks while they’re moving around in restaurants, but not while they’re eating or drinking. Exceptions would also be granted for young children and people with special medical conditions.

Gov. Walz will not rule out another shutdown of businesses even with mask mandate, but he says he thinks it will improve our COVID situation and not make it necessary. He says the mask mandate will likely be in effect for at least a “few months.”

— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) July 22, 2020