KVRR Local News
May 13, 2021
Minnesotans who aren’t fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors.
Businesses and cities can still make their own mask mandates. However, masks are still required for schools and child care settings.
Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom, said she had “mixed feelings” about the new step. She expressed concern that so many people are not yet vaccinated in Minnesota. So far 61% of Minnesotans have received at least one dose.
Walz says it would have been “untenable” to keep a mask mandate in place for unvaccinated people because it would have created a vaccine passport situation.
Jake Judd (KNSI)
(KNSI) – CentraCare Health will continue to require masks even though the statewide mask mandate has ended.
The medical facility says COVID-19 is not yet eradicated, and people who are not vaccinated are still at risk.
A press release from the St. Cloud based medical provider states all employees, patients, and visitors are required to wear a mask when in a CentraCare or Carris Health facility.
CentraCare says people must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, which continues to sicken people in the St. Cloud area.
CentraCare is awaiting additional guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before making any changes.
WDIO Created: May 14, 2021 10:23 AM
The City of Duluth announced Friday that they will no longer enforce their mask ordinance. Instead, businesses and organizations can choose to create their own policies about mask wearing.
“Beginning today, the City will no longer enforce the mask ordinance,” Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman said. “It is also important to remember that the CDC’s guidance on easing mask-wearing is for fully vaccinated people, and that some business sectors and nonprofits are still required to wear masks within their spaces and may require the public to do the same.”
This announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that masks were no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals in most places.
DTA Will Still Require Masks On Buses and In Transit Hubs
The recent announcement from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding the ending of the face covering requirement was an encouraging sign in the fight against COVID-19. However, private businesses and local municipalities may still put in place face covering requirements. One such business in Duluth that will still require face coverings is the Duluth Transit Authority.
The DTA announced to the public Friday that despite the change in guidance from the Centers For Disease Control, they are still requiring masks on all buses and in transit hubs. This policy applies to all passengers, including those who are fully vaccinated.
WDIO Created: May 12, 2021 07:06 PM
Since the death of George Floyd, there have been renewed calls for police reform.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is calling on the legislature to pass police reform measures, but says that s only the first step towards change. This opportunity today is to, yes, we re asking to move legislation in the legislature, but I want to be very clear - that alone will not fix all of this, but it will start moving things forward. It will give the potential to protect some of our most vulnerable populations, and it will start to put on a path where real systemic change is possible, said Walz.