Minnesota's statewide mask mandate is now in effect. Some sort off face covering is now required for anyone entering an indoor, public space in Minnesota in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.
"This is the way, the cheapest way for us to open out businesses, for us to get out kids back in school, for us to keep our grandparents healthy, and for us to get back that life that we all miss so much," said Gov. Walz when annoucing the mask mandate earlier in the week.
Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka called the decision heavy-handed.
"It is the surest way to getting us to the therapeutics and the vaccines with the least amount of impacts on Minnesotans," said Walz.
Social distancing guidelines are also recommended in addition to using facemasks in the battle to keep the coronavirus from spreading out of control.
The state health department Saturday announced 805 new coronavirus cases.
That brings the total number of laboratory confirmed cases in Minnesota to 50,291.
The state reported five deaths, with 287 still hospitalized and 115 in intensive care.
Cases are now reported in all 87 Minnesota counties as Lake of the Woods revealed one positive test result on Saturday.