Where face masks are required in Minnesota

Tommy Wiita

More cities, municipalities, colleges, universities and businesses are considering a mandate on face masks being worn in public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has also required patrons to wear face masks and coverings while in a terminal.

Here is a list of areas where wearing a mask is a must.

Universities/Colleges

  • The University of Minnesota Crookston is requiring all faculty, students and visitors to wear a face covering in any enclosed indoor space. Exceptions include an assigned apartment or residence hall or when alone in an office or study area.
  • The University of Minnesota Morris is requiring all faculty, students and visitors to wear a face covering in any enclosed indoor space. Exceptions include an assigned apartment or residence hall or when alone in an office or study area.
  • The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is requiring all faculty, students and visitors to wear a face covering in any enclosed indoor space. Exceptions include an assigned apartment or residence hall or when alone in an office or study area.
  • St. Cloud State University is requiring all faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear face masks during the fall semester in all university buildings.
  • St. Catherine University is requiring all faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear a mask when entering and walking through buildings on campus and while in common or shared spaces. Exceptions include working alone in a private office.

Cities/Municipalities

  • The city of Blaine is requiring all visitors to wear a provided mask or one of their own when entering government buildings.
  • The city of Duluth is requiring all residents and visitors to wear face masks in publicly accessible common areas of buildings. Businesses that aren’t publicly accessible can be exempt so long as six feet of social distancing is possible. Businesses can be fined $100 for a first violation, with higher fines for repeat offenses.
  • The city of Edina is requiring face masks inside public spaces, including retail establishments and city-owned buildings like City Hall. Exceptions include inside the city’s recreation facilities when social distancing can be maintained.
  • The city of Minnetonka is requiring face masks for those who are over 5 years old and can medically tolerate a face covering when in an indoor space of public accommodation.
  • The city of Minneapolis is requiring face masks to be worn inside businesses and other indoor facilities.
  • The city of St. Paul is requiring face masks to be worn inside city buildings and at all businesses licensed by the city.
  • The city of St. Cloud is requiring face masks be worn inside places of "public accommodation."
  • The city of Mankato is requiring people over the age of 13 to wear a face mask in public spaces such as retail stores, service establishments and city government buildings. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor. Any further violations could result in a $200 penalty.
  • The city of Rochester is requiring face masks to be worn at indoor facilities, including indoor restaurants and bar seating, gyms, public transportation and retail businesses. Masks are also required by staff and patients while on Mayo Clinic property.
  • The city of Winona is requiring all residents and visitors to wear face coverings indoors in public buildings and anywhere where physical distancing is difficult.
  • The city of Excelsior is requiring individuals wear face coverings in indoor areas accessible to the public.
  • The city of White Bear Lake is requiring face masks and face coverings in indoor areas accessible to the public. Children ages two and under, along with people with medical conditions that make breathing difficult are not required to wear face coverings.
  • The city of St. Louis Park will require face coverings in restaurants and bars when not seated at a table, public transportation, entertainment venues, common spaces in multifamily residential and multitenant office buildings and outdoor spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • The city of Cloquet requires all people to wear face coverings in indoor areas accessible to the public. According to WDIO, the ordinance does not apply to children under the age of 10 or people who can’t cover their faces for medical reasons.

Businesses

  • Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sam’s Club stores. They are currently working on different options for customers who don’t show up with a face mask.
  • Costco is requiring face masks to be worn at all of their stores. The face-covering requirement does not apply to children younger than 2 years old or people who can’t wear a face mask due to a medical condition.
  • Menards is requiring all customers to wear a face mask or face covering while shopping in stores.
  • Starbucks is requiring all customers to wear a face mask or face covering.
  • Best Buy is requiring all customers to wear face masks while shopping. A face covering will be provided to customers that don’t have one. Small children and those unable to wear a mask due to health reasons will be able to enter stores without a mask.
  • Apple is requiring all customers to wear masks while inside stores.
  • Target is requiring all customers to wear masks while inside stores starting on Aug. 1.
  • CVS Pharmacy is requiring all customers to wear masks while inside stores.
  • Kohl’s is requiring all customers to wear masks while inside stores.
  • Trader Joe’s is requiring all customers to wear masks while in stores.
  • Lunds & Byerlys is requiring all customers to wear masks while in stores starting July 31.
  • Caribou Coffee is requiring face coverings for all customers.
  • Kowalski’s Markets is requiring face masks while in store for all customers.
  • Home Depot is requiring masks or face coverings in all stores starting July 22.
  • Lowe’s is requiring masks or face coverings in all of its stores.
  • Fresh Thyme is requiring all customers to wear face coverings or masks.
  • PetSmart is requiring all customers to wear face coverings or masks.
  • Cub is requiring all customers to wear masks or face coverings in its stores starting July 28.
  • McDonald’s is requiring masks at all locations beginning Aug. 1.