Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Implements Vaccine Mandate

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Wednesday signed an emergency regulation requiring employees to be fully vaccinated.

City employees who refuse the vaccine must be tested regularly for COVID-19.

"Vaccines save lives," Frey said in a news release.

"Our local government employees have been on the frontlines of this pandemic, and Minneapolis has helped lead our state forward when it comes to data-driven public health measures. Thanks to a remarkable team at the City, labor partners, and community, we’re moving forward with a plan to keep Minneapolis residents and staff safe and healthy."

Hennepin County implemented a similar requirement in August.

The mandate comes as the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus brings a surge in new cases and hospitalizations. On Wednesday alone, 5,777 new cases of COVID-19 were reported, along with nine deaths.