submitted by rjohn@augsburg.edu
On Wednesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order requiring face coverings be worn in public indoor spaces, and other situations, in the State of Minnesota. The executive order, which goes into effect tonight at 11:59 p.m., is consistent with Augsburg’s current policy on face coverings.
A link to the full executive order is below. Following are several of the key provisions:
>>Face coverings must be worn in all business and public indoor spaces or when waiting in line outside. This includes higher education.
>>Face coverings must be worn outdoors in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
>>Face coverings must be worn on public transit and in other various shared transportation scenarios.
>>Scenarios where temporary removal of face coverings (e.g., eating, exercising) are noted.
>>Face shields are allowed as alternatives to face coverings in some classroom situations.
>>Businesses should allow alternative face coverings (e.g., face shields) or provide alternative services for those unable to wear a face covering.
>>Face coverings are not required for people alone in an office or cubicle with high walls or alone in a personal vehicle.
Augsburg’s face covering policy requires that all staff, faculty, and students wear face coverings while in any common areas while on Augsburg property. Resident students must wear face coverings while out of their residence hall living spaces. Cloth masks are in stock for critical staff and faculty and resident students. See https://inside.augsburg.edu/facilities/ for information.