Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says he’s considering “an emergency regulation” to prevent churches from opening after Governor Tim Walz said worship can resume at 25% capacity.
Walz announced over the weekend that churches are allowed to reopen at 25% capacity, provided that social distancing guidelines be met, that singing be limited and that the total number of congregants does not exceed 250. However, Frey says that he may contradict the governor’s order with his own emergency regulation in Minneapolis.
“Moving up to 25% capacity & up to 250 people in places of worship is… not the route that we can, or should, be going on right now. We are considering some form of an emergency regulation to prevent that number of people from gathering,” he said on CNN, Monday.
Minneapolis Mayor @Jacob_Frey: “Moving up to 25% capacity & up to 250 people in places of worship is … not the route that we can, or should, be going on right now. We are considering some form of an emergency regulation to prevent that number of people from gathering…” pic.twitter.com/NZXNf1oVNP
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) May 25, 2020
This comes just two days after the major mandated that Minneapolis residents must wear masks while in public or face a $1,000 fine. This regulation is set to take effect next week, per the Star Tribune.
Starting Tuesday, wearing a cloth mask/face covering will be required in Minneapolis while visiting public indoor businesses and spaces. Today, we’re launching the #MaskUpMPLS campaign to raise awareness & highlight why wearing a mask & protecting each other matters to our city. pic.twitter.com/vIVj5ODXZw
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 21, 2020
Meanwhile, Minnesota State Senator and medical doctor Scott Jensen says that “surgical and cotton masks can filter particle sizes of 5 microns or more. COVID-19 particles are 50 times smaller.”
“COVID-19 particles require an electron microscope to be seen and are readily transmitted through cotton and surgical masks,” he adds.
However, this has not stopped Minneapolis officials from doing all they can to promote the use of cloth masks.
Mayor Jacob Frey and the City of Minneapolis are conducting a cloth mask drive! Please consider donating a cloth mask to any Minneapolis Fire Station for those in need on Memorial Day from 10 am to 2 pm. #MaskUpMPLS pic.twitter.com/oGVeJIivqM
— Minneapolis Fire (@MinneapolisFire) May 22, 2020
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
