Minnesota could be free of nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by the end of May.
That’s the goal presented by Gov. Tim Walz, who officially made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday. "Because of what you've done, you've put us in a better spot than a lot of other folks," Walz said, praising residents for following social distancing and mask guidelines.
The three-step timeline to return to normalcy aims to end the statewide masking requirement by July 1, or once 70% of Minnesotans age 16 years and older get their vaccine.
At present time, 2.6 million Minnesotans have gotten their shot, putting the state on track to having 70 percent of Minnesotans vaccinated by the end of June.
“Our nation-leading vaccination effort has put us in a strong position to safely transition toward life as we used to know it,” Governor Walz said in a statement. “The pandemic is not over and we have work to do. But from the State Fairgrounds, to doctor’s offices, to retrofitted Metro Transit buses that deliver vaccines where they’re most needed, Minnesotans now have more opportunities than ever to get the vaccine when and where they want to. As cases recede, more people get vaccinated every day, and vaccines are readily available to all who want it, we can now confidently and safely set out our path back to normal.
”Step one of the three-step plan takes place at noon on May 7, and includes initial steps to relax some restrictions, removing limits for outdoor dining and events.
It also ends the mask requirement outdoors except at large venues with over 500 people, and eliminates the state-established mandatory closing time for bars, restaurants, and other food and beverage establishments.
The second step, beginning on May 28, will end remaining capacity and distancing limits, including for indoor events and gatherings.There will be no new safety requirements for businesses, though they must maintain their plans to keep their employees and customers safe, guided only by a minimal universal state guidance document.
Once 70% of Minnesotans 16 years and older are vaccinated, the final step will be put into place. At that point, the remaining face-covering requirement and the requirement for preparedness plans will end. That will happen no later than July 1.Vaccination efforts will continue, and local jurisdictions and entities may set their own mask policies.
Republican reaction to Walz's timeline was swift -- and negative, with local GOP leaders saying all restrictions should end immediately.
"My reaction today is simple: Not good enough and not soon enough. The emergency is over and the mandates need to end," Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said.
"This announcement won’t allow for kids to finish the year with normal graduations and celebrations like prom, or allow normal participation in sports and activities," he added. "It’s too late for many to find summer camps and plan vacations in-state. Outdoor spaces are still limited by distancing despite all the evidence that the outdoors is safe ... The Governor continues to lead alone, ignoring our suggestions and the suggestions of the businesses and medical community to find any compromise- especially on the mask mandate."
Since mid-April, COVID-19 cases have in Minnesota have declined, and hospitals are seeing fewer admissions as vaccination progress has relentlessly pushed forward.
“I know the last year has tested us. But we made those sacrifices to save lives until a vaccine could keep Minnesotans safe,” Governor Walz said. “We all now have the ability to protect our loved ones. So go get your vaccines, Minnesota, and do your part to finally put this pandemic behind us.”
Minnesotans can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to make a vaccine appointment at a Community Vaccination Program site or use the Find Vaccine Locations map to locate a provider near them.