Vaccine Mandate Announced For Minneapolis, St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced Wednesday that starting next week, customers of bars, restaurants, and other places that serve food or drink must show proof they've received the COVID-19 vaccine or show a negative PCR test result.

The policy will also apply to stadiums and other public venues if eating or drinking is taking place. Minnesota Wild games at the Xcel Energy Center — and Minnesota Timberwolves games at the Target Center — are included in the mandate.

Retail venues that don't offer dining or drinking, such as grocery markets and hardware stores, are exempt from the mandate.

Frey and Carter say the new policy is meant to stave off a potential shutdown caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The two cities will become the first in the state to institute a vaccine mandate for customers of private businesses.

"The recent surge in cases is overwhelming our hospitals and the data is clear that more is needed to keep our city safe and open while we weather this highly contagious variant," Frey said in a news release.

"This is an important opportunity to continue supporting your favorite local businesses and restaurants, knowing fellow patrons are either vaccinated or have tested negative. We all have a role in helping curb this surge in cases and keeping our city moving forward."

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

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 2,

• Athletes, performers, and supporting staff competing or performing at any space of public accommodation

• 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