Governments, Restaurants and Retailers Updating COVID-19 Masking Policies

(KNSI) – Mask mandates and requests are starting to pop up again as governments, retailers, and restaurants say they’re worried about the uptick in cases of COVID-19, especially the delta variant, which health officials say is spreading like wildfire among unvaccinated people.

Mayo Clinic says all patients and visitors must wear masks while on Mayo property. The healthcare system is also requiring vaccinations for all employees. Those who choose not to wear a mask must practice social distancing. Fairview Health Services also requires masks for all patients and visitors over the age of two. Allina Health also says patients, visitors, and workers must wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

While the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are instituting a mask mandate for employees and visitors, the City of St. Cloud says it does not require masks for indoor spaces.

Duluth, a popular tourist destination, says starting August 4th, employees and public visitors must wear face coverings in city buildings. The Lake Superior Maritime Museum and Visitor’s Center is back open after closing last year due to COVID-19. A post on the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association website says masks will be required inside the visitor’s center for guests who are not fully vaccinated. For those who are fully vaccinated, social distancing is still encouraged. Duluth is the seat of St. Louis County, which says it recommends but not requires everyone to wear masks while indoors in public spaces.

Retailers like Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s are also updating their mask policies.

Walmart says in counties with high or substantial transmission areas; employees will be required to wear masks. Recently, the Minnesota Department of Health says the Centers for Disease Control placed Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties on the list for counties with high transmission rates. That ranking covers both Walmart in Sartell and Walmart in St. Cloud. Customers are recommended to wear masks, but it does not require it. Target and Kohl’s are following in Walmart’s footsteps requiring workers in high transmission areas to wear masks and recommending guests do the same.

All Home Depot shoppers will be asked to wear a mask inside. Employees, vaccinated or not, will be required to wear masks indoors at all facilities.

McDonald’s customers and employees will also be required to wear face masks in areas of high or substantial transmission rates regardless of vaccination status.

(Editor’s note: This information is accurate and correct as of 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4th, 2021, and will be updated as needed as guidance requires.)

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