Some other governments at the local, state and national levels have already rolled back mask mandates as the omicron wave recedes. Minneapolis and St. Paul have not.
The move is effective immediately as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rapidly decline. The mask mandate will remain in effect for businesses licensed by the cities.
The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul on Thursday lifted their vaccine-or-test requirements for restaurants and bars, citing the drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.