Masks
People may choose to mask at any time. To reduce the risk of being infected with COVID-19 variants and possibly spreading it to others, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with symptoms, a positive test, exposure to someone with COVID-19, at high risk for severe illness or people in locations where COVID-19 Community Levels are high, should wear a well-fitted, high quality mask. Options include:
- N95 or KN95 masks – shown to provide the highest levels of protection.
- A disposable mask under a cloth mask - also offers increased effectiveness.
- A cloth mask with at least two layers of tightly woven fabric.
Mask guidance and use
- Learn what prevention steps to take based on CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels
- Recommendations on when to wear a mask - MDH
- Your guide to masks - CDC
- How to wear your N95 - CDC
Ramsey County mask requirement
As of March 1, 2022, employees and visitors are no longer required to wear masks in Ramsey County buildings.
A Mask for Everyone
An initiative to ensure that individuals and families - specifically racially, ethnically and culturally diverse communities have access to free masks. As of February 2022, mask requests are no longer being accepted.
Mask mandates and requirements
There is no longer a statewide requirement to wear face coverings in most settings. However, federal, state or local laws may require face coverings in some settings, and businesses may set their own requirements.
City of Saint Paul
As of March 10, 2022 - Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signed Executive Order 2022-17 lifting the mask requirement in city-owned buildings, effective immediately. On February 24, 2022, Mayor Carter signed Executive Order 2022-14, lifting the mask requirement for businesses licensed by the City of Saint Paul, effective immediately. The lifting of the mask requirements come as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to trend downward.
Learn more about the executive order
Ramsey County
As of March 1, 2022 - Employees and visitors are no longer required to wear masks in many Ramsey County buildings. Mask requirements remain in effect for some Ramsey County facilities where other governmental regulations apply which include: homeless shelters leased or run by Ramsey County, the Ramsey County Care Center, Correctional Facility, Juvenile Detention Center, Adult Detention Center, Ramsey County Detoxification Center, and Lake Owasso Residence. They are also still required at Ramsey County's WIC clinics, TB Clinic, Clinic 555 and the Mental Health Center.
This policy change follows updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 25, 2022. The CDC launched new COVID-19 Community Levels to monitor the number of new cases in communities across the country and the burden COVID-19 is placing on local health care systems. This new approach will combine metrics of COVID-19 hospital admissions and hospital capacity with case data to identify when a community is facing a low, medium, or high level of risk from COVID-19.
Following CDC's new guidance, the COVID-19 Community Level for Ramsey County is currently "medium."
- Masks are recommended for employees and visitors who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised or at high-risk for complications associated with COVID-19.
- Free masks are available at county buildings for visitors who need them.
Like all guidance during the pandemic, the COVID-19 Community Levels may be updated or changed in the future as the situation evolves.
State of Minnesota
As of May 15, 2021 - There is no longer a statewide requirement to wear face coverings in most settings. However, federal, state or local laws may require face coverings in some settings, and businesses may set their own requirements.
Signs, posters and fact sheets
Masks are recommended for people who are not vaccinated or at high risk for severe illness. Stay home if you are sick. - Ramsey County
Face coverings still required in some settings - Ramsey County
- 8.5x11 - Face Coverings Required
- 8.5x11 - Face Coverings Required + You will be screened for symptoms
- 11x17 - Face Coverings Required
- 11x17 - Face Coverings Required + You will be screened for symptoms
Are you wearing your face mask properly? - M Health Fairview
COVID-19 mask do's and don'ts - Minnesota Department of Health
How to wear a face mask/face covering
- How to Safely Wear Your Mask - MDH (available in multiple languages)
- How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering - CDC