City of Rochester joins Olmsted County recommending masks in public, indoor settings

Chad Corey

(ABC 6 News) – The City of Rochester has joined Olmsted County in recommending that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, mask in public, indoor settings.

RELATED: Olmsted County recommends everyone mask indoors

The City of Rochester continues to work closely with our partners at Olmsted County Public Health to monitor local public health conditions. The City considers local data along with the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this time there is no mask requirement for the City of Rochester. However,

Masks are required, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, in the Rochester Public Library’s Youth Services Area and in some Parks & Recreation youth programs. This requirement is in the interest of the health and safety of youth under the age of 12 that are unable to receive vaccinations at this time.
Masks are still required on Rochester Public Transit (RPT) buses and in or around RPT facilities, including stops and shelters. RPT is bound by TSA Security Directive 1582-84-21-01A which requires the use of face masks on public transportation.
Private entities retain the right to require patrons to wear masks in their store/facility.

Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 are widely available through medical providers and pharmacies. Individuals 12 and older can find vaccine availability at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp. The vaccine is still highly effective against COVID-19 and dramatically reduces hospitalizations and death. However, the Delta variant spreads very easily, and in rare cases, vaccinated people can transmit the virus even if they do not have symptoms.

Other ways to reduce the spread of the virus include staying home when sick and getting tested when presenting symptoms or coming into exposure.