Walz sets May 28 end to COVID curbs, July 1 end to mask mandate

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Gov. Tim Walz laid out a timeline for ending state COVID-19 restrictions Thursday, but says it's essential that Minnesotans continue to be vaccinated.

The first step comes Friday, when limits on most outdoor dining and other outdoor gatherings are lifted. On May 28, remaining capacity and distancing limits will end. And then Walz says the mask requirement will be lifted on July 1 or sooner, if 70 percent of Minnesota adults have at least one dose of the vaccine.

"It's your turn. If you're out there right now and you're 16 and above, get your vaccine. You can walk in, this is a process that you can go in, the whole process will take you five minutes," Walz said. "Give us a hand to get this last little bit."

Walz says local governments and businesses may keep some restrictions in place after the state restrictions lift. He says he will continue to use some of his emergency COVID powers.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says Walz has put high school proms in jeopardy and is stifling a return to normal.

"Compliance to masking has dropped in Minnesota. In my area, it’s dropped significantly and I know why. Many people are getting vaccinated. Those that want it are getting vaccinated and they’re breathing a sigh of relief.”

Gazelka says that next week all senators will be able to return to their desks in the Capitol — with masks optional.

In the latest COVID data, Minnesota's vaccination rates continue to drift down, although first doses have rebounded from a steep decline earlier in the week.

State officials reported more than 40,000 newly administered first doses in the latest data — about double the average daily number the state had reported since Monday. But the seven-day rolling average of new vaccinations continues to decline precipitously, along with a lesser decline in second shots.

The slowdown will push out the state's goal of widespread vaccination, and possible lifting the mask mandate. The state is also reporting 13 additional deaths — slightly above the recent daily average.