Mask requirements for court facilities, Hennepin County buildings to end Monday
The mask mandate for Hennepin County buildings – as well as court facilities across the state – are ending after this weekend.
Hennepin County officials say visitors to most county buildings won’t have to wear a mask anymore, starting Monday, which is also when the Minnesota Judicial Branch will lift its requirement for face coverings in court facilities.
Some buildings, such as correctional, detention and health care buildings, may still require masks. Visitors are urged to follow each building’s signage and staff instructions.
The county still recommends masks for unvaccinated and high-risk residents, and says it will continue providing masks to visitors who request them. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms shouldn’t enter county buildings, if possible, but should be masked if entering is necessary.
The Judicial Branch says the chief judge in each judicial district can still require face coverings in that district’s court facilities. The branch also noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends wearing a mask indoors in counties at a “high” level of COVID-19 community transmission.
RELATED: Mask mandates lifted for licensed businesses in Minneapolis, St. Paul
Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed 55 counties in the state as having a high level of COVID-19 community transmission, while 29 are listed as having substantial spread. The CDC says three counties have moderate spread. CLICK HERE for the latest statewide numbers.
The news comes a week after Minneapolis and St. Paul lifted mask mandates for businesses licensed in the cities.