On May 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated* people no longer need to wear masks or social distance in any setting, except as required by local or state laws. Additionally, the CDC does not recommend that fully vaccinated people get tested or quarantine after known COVID-19 exposure, unless they are symptomatic. Testing after known exposure is still recommended for fully vaccinated people who are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility, or a homeless shelter. The CDC still recommends masks and social distancing for unvaccinated people in indoor settings or in crowded outdoor settings.
The following day, on May 13, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the end of the statewide mask mandate to align with the recommendations of the CDC. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to follow the CDC guidelines, including wearing masks in medical settings and on public transportation, whether or not they are fully vaccinated. Individual municipalities and businesses may still require masks. As of June 3, 2.6 million Minnesotans have completed the vaccine process.
What does this mean for Minnesota businesses?
Minnesota businesses are free to return to normal capacity. Any remaining restrictions regarding capacity and distancing requirements have been lifted. Businesses and places of public accommodation only need to follow the Universal Guidelines for All Businesses and Entities.
Work from home is still strongly recommended, and employers should make reasonable accommodations for at-risk employees, or employees with one or more members of their household who have underlying medical conditions and are not yet vaccinated.
We expect many businesses to require employees to return as they transition back into the workplace.
*Fully vaccinated is defined by the CDC as 2 weeks after receiving the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine series, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or 2 weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson.
Link to COVID-19 Universal Guidance for All Businesses and Entities: https://staysafe.mn.gov/assets/covid-19-universal-guidance-for-all-businesses-and-entities_tcm1152-480317.pdf
Virtus Law, PLLC continues to monitor changes in this area and will continue to post relevant updates to this website.