The policy on COVID -19 Proof of Vaccination and Testing is changing. See the following statement from the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget.
Policy 1446: COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination and Testing
Policy 1446 is being rescinded effective May 24. We continue to monitor changes in the pandemic, including appearance of new variants, and will respond with updated policies and procedures in the months ahead. We continue to encourage employees to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to get vaccinated and boosted and, as before, to get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.
Nineteen Minnesota Counties at “High” Community Level
On May 19, the CDC designated the COVID-19 Community Level in 19 Minnesota counties as “High.” Those counties include Carlton, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Olmstead, Pine, Pope, Roseau, St. Louis, Steele, Stevens, Wabasha and Winona. The CDC determines Community Levels by assessing each county for the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions, hospital beds filled with COVID-19 patients, and new COVID-19 cases.
The CDC announces new Community Level data every Thursday. To stay up to date on each county’s Community Level going forward, please check the CDC’s website at this link: CDC COVID Data Tracker: County View.
Employees working on-site are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines. The CDC recommends that people in counties with a “High” Community Level:
- Wear a mask indoors in public places.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested if they have symptoms.
- People at high risk for severe illness should consider taking additional precautions.
Employees working on-site in a county where the Community Level is rated “High” should be alerted that the CDC recommends face masks while indoors.
While there is no telework mandate for state agency employees, those who are eligible and approved to telework are encouraged to do so while the Community Level remains “High.”
