Minneapolis Rolls Back Part Of Vax Mandate After SCOTUS Decision

William Bornhoft
·2 min read
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MINNEAPOLIS — A new Supreme Court ruling has forced Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to roll back part of his vaccine mandate.

Under the mandate that Frey announced Wednesday, workers at Minneapolis bars, restaurants, and other eateries were required to follow vaccine-or-testing requirements originally drafted by President Joe Biden's administration.

However, Biden's restrictions on workers were struck down in the Supreme Court Thursday, forcing Frey to update his own mandate.

Frey's mandate can no longer require workers at eateries in Minneapolis to get vaccinated or submit to regular testing. However, the mandate still requires customers at those places to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test in order to enter.

The Supreme Court ruling had a similar impact on St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter's mandate.

Vaccine mandates in both cities will go into effect on Jan. 19 for venues that serve food but don't require a ticket. The policy will go into effect on Jan. 26 for ticketed events that serve food.

This vaccine mandate applies to places that serve food or drink, including:

  • Indoor restaurant spaces, coffee shops, cafes within larger spaces (for example, museum cafes, gyms).

  • Bars

  • Sports venues that serve food or drink for onsite consumption

  • Entertainment venues such as theaters and bowling alleys that serve food or drink for onsite consumption

  • Conventions (if food is being served), catering halls and food courts (if the area is exclusive to a specific restaurant)

Exceptions to the mandate include:

  • Children under age 5

  • K-12 and early childcare settings

  • Hospitals

  • Congregate care facilities or other residential or healthcare facilities

  • Locations that provide takeout service only

  • Food or drink as part of a religious practice

  • Outdoor spaces; grocery stores

  • Convenience stores and other establishments that primarily sell food and other articles for offsite use except in seated dining areas within those stores

  • Soup kitchens and other sites serving vulnerable populations

Wednesday's announcement comes about a week after both mayors reinstated an indoor mask mandate.

This article originally appeared on the Southwest Minneapolis Patch