ST. PAUL, MN (MNN) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Thursday announced a three-step plan for ending COVID-related restrictions in the state.
Walz says limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be eased starting Friday with a goal of outdoor limits ending and indoor limits being curbed on May 28th.
In addition, Walz is aiming to end the mask mandate on July 1st–or sooner–if 70% of Minnesotans are vaccinated.
Walz says: “Our nation-leading vaccination effort has put us in a strong position to safely transition toward life as we used to know it and as cases recede, more people get vaccinated and vaccines are readily available to all who want it, we can confidently and safely set out our path back to normal.”
The most at-risk Minnesotans, including seniors, long-term care residents, assisted living residents, educators, and front-line workers have gotten their vaccines. Nearly 90% of Minnesotans over the age of 65 have gotten at least one dose.
Walz says because the youngest Minnesotans are not yet eligible for the vaccine, the Safe Learning Plan for schools will continue until the end of the school year to protect students, teachers, and staff in schools.
In response to the announcement, Republican Representative Kurt Daudt says “the data clearly shows we’ve made incredible progress reducing case counts and getting Minnesotans vaccinated, but the Governor insists on holding on to powers he doesn’t need – it’s time to open up and end the emergency powers.”
(from Minnesota News Network)
