Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday signed an emergency regulation requiring employees to prove they've received a COVID-19 vaccine, or commit to regular testing.
According to a news release, the city is developing procedures for the requirement and the testing requirements and the option to instead provide proof of vaccine will begin at the Minneapolis Convention Center starting in mid-September.
"If we're going to get through this pandemic, the delta variant, and whatever the next variation is called, you need to get vaccinated," Frey told WCCO Radio's Sloane Martin during the Morning News on Thursday.
The emergency regulation comes as Minneapolis and Hennepin County uphold mask mandates for city and county staff and city/county owned buildings.
"I have an obligation to keep our employees safe. Our employees and staff have been doing an incredible job through a very difficult time," Frey added. "I also have an obligation to make sure that the residents they engage and interact with are safe. Part of that, of course, is getting vaccinated."
Along with vaccinations, Frey says knowing if employees have COVID is another step in keeping each other safe.
"We are moving forward and we have a first phase that will be implemented in the more near-term as we figure out the exact plan as to how the implementation will ultimately work."
