Minneapolis and Saint Paul are immediately lifting the mandate requiring restaurants and bars to check patrons’ COVID-19 vaccine status or negative test results for dine-in. The Twin Cities’ decision to lift the mandate comes as Omicron case numbers continue to drop in the metro area.  

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Minneapolis have lowered significantly since the initial emergency requirement was put in place earlier this year, the city of Minneapolis wrote in a press release Thursday. The seven-day new case rate exceeded 1,300 cases per 100,000 people in January and positivity rates were climbing rapidly. Now, the new case rate is significantly decreased at 499 per 100,000 people.

“Key public health metrics are trending in the right direction,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in the press release. “That is a welcomed sign for Minneapolis, especially for the small businesses and restaurants that have shouldered the weight of this pandemic. Let’s hold the momentum and bring our city back in full by continuing to follow public health guidance and supporting local businesses.”

The city also stressed the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations in the release, stating that the vaccine is the first step in preventing serious illness and hospitalization, adding that the CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone over the age of 5. 

“We are grateful to be in a different place now than we were when this requirement first took effect,” Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in the press release. “While I encourage residents to continue to get vaccinated, wear masks and practice social distancing while indoors, the sharp decline in cases and hospitalizations means we can safely lift the vaccine requirement in our city.”

Masking requirements in city-licensed businesses and most public areas will remain in place and restaurants are free to maintain vaccine or test requirements if they wish to do so.