Minneapolis Public Schools Will Enforce A Mask Mandate

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Public Schools will enforce a mask mandate starting this month, the district announced Thursday. The requirement will apply to all staff, students, and visitors inside district buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

It will go into effect on Aug. 9.

"This decision is based on the strong recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health about masking being a critical way to protect children who cannot yet get vaccinated, along with others who are not vaccinated," the district said in a statement.

Masks must also be worn on district school buses.

All students, teachers, staff and visitors in school buildings should wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, the Minnesota Department of Education announced Wednesday.

The policy is a part of the department's "best practice recommendations" for COVID-19 prevention in schools during the 2021-'22 school year.

The announcement comes as the Delta variant of the coronavirus is causing a surge in new cases across the United States. Due to a "substantial" case spread, the majority of Minnesota residents should be wearing masks while indoors, according to the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Patch is tracking where residents will need to wear a mask and where they'll need a vaccine to work. Read more: Latest Vaccine Mandates Issued In Minnesota: LIST