Masks rundown

Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday finally issued a rule Wednesday requiring people to wear masks or face coverings in public indoor spaces in Minnesota.

More than half of U.S. states have issued similar mandates. So have most major Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud. On Tuesday, Cloquet and Superior joined the chorus.

In announcing his decision, Walz said Minnesota's business and health care communities both supported a statewide mask order.

Walz had delayed issuing an executive order requiring masks, first trying to get legislative buy-in from Republican leaders.

The statewide order supersedes a city's order unless it has imposed stricter requirements. Walz's order does allow for cities to impose stricter mask requirements than the state.

Several cities, including Minneapolis and Rochester, require children older than 2 to wear a mask. The statewide order encourages children between ages 2 and 5 to wear masks, but it doesn't require it.

People in Minnesota will be required to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless they are alone. This includes when waiting outside to enter an indoor public space.

Masks are also required on public transportation, including buses and trains, and in taxis or vehicles that are used for a business purpose.

Additionally, workers are required to wear a face covering when working outdoors in situations in which social distancing cannot be maintained.

You're also required to wear a mask when at a business, either indoors or outdoors, that requires face coverings.

The mask requirement begins Saturday morning at 12:01. It is set to remain in effect until the state's peacetime emergency ends.