Over 6K MN State Workers Opt For Testing Over COVID-19 Vaccine

ACROSS MINNESOTA — More than 6,000 Minnesota state workers have opted to do regular COVID-19 testing rather than show proof that they are fully vaccinated against the virus.

Gov. Tim Walz's vaccine mandate for state employees went into effect on Sept. 8. Since then, those who work in person must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to routine testing.

As of Friday, out of the 25,251 state agency employees subject to the COVID-19 vaccination or testing policy:

• 18,909 have shown proof that they are fully vaccinated
• 6,341 need COVID-19 testing

No state worker has faced discipline over the mandate, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget told Patch Tuesday.

An Oct. 6 analysis from Minnesota Public Radio showed that vaccination rates vary widely by each state agency.

"Vaccination is the best way to keep employees and the people we serve safe and ensure the Delta variant does not derail our economic recovery," Walz said when he announced the vaccine mandate in August.

"The state is leading by example and working to get our public employees vaccinated to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their communities. With this action, we're joining businesses and colleges across the state who have taken this important step, and I urge other employers to do the same."

Also read: Over 400 Minnesota Schools On This Week's COVID-19 Outbreak List