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Questions about Twin Cities indoor dining vaccine mandates, answered
Vaccine-or-test mandates for indoor dining go into effect in Minneapolis and St. Paul on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Here are answers to some common questions on the orders:
Q: Are all restaurants covered by the requirement?
A: No, St. Paul's order only covers establishments licensed by the city. That means coffee shops, fast food chains and other places that do not serve alcohol are exempt, according to the Pioneer Press.
Minneapolis and St. Paul to require vaccine or test for indoor dining
New vaccine-or-test requirements for indoor dining and drinking in Minneapolis and St. Paul take effect Wednesday.
The big picture: A growing number of major cities, including Boston, Chicago and New York, have instituted similar requirements in an effort to protect public health.
Yes, but: Questions about enforcement, logistics and effectiveness of the temporary measures here remain.
Ties Lounge & Rooftop to open on Nicollet Mall in February
A big and high-profile bar and restaurant space on Nicollet Mall is coming back to life this spring with new operators.
Driving the news: Ties Lounge & Rooftop is opening next month at 921 Nicollet Ave., the four-story, 15,000-square-foot building that formerly housed Randle’s and Rojo Mexican Grill.
Why it matters: It's the latest effort to reanimate a downtown Minneapolis — and particularly Nicollet Mall — that is struggling to recover from the pandemic as most of its major employers haven't brought their workers back to the office.
Rent control will be top issue for Minneapolis City Council
Several progressive Minneapolis City Council members are making a strict rent control ordinance their first big to-do at City Hall.
Why it matters: 53% of voters approved a ballot measure last November giving the new City Council power to enact some kind of rent control ordinance.
Ice mazes, ski competition and more in the Twin Cities this weekend
If you're feeling iffy about indoor events as Omicron prompts more cancellations, check out these four things to do outside this weekend.
🧊 Get lost in the 10-foot-tall walls of the Ice Palace Maze, which opens today in Stillwater. Bonus: finishers can go down a giant ice slide. $12-$20.
Tracker: Minnesota Legislature's retirement count grows
An expected wave of state legislative retirements is starting to swell ahead of the 2022 election.
What's happening: Fourteen state legislators have already announced that they won't seek re-election in November, per announcements and a tally kept by the Legislative Reference Library.
- Longtime DFL Reps. Carlos Mariani of St. Paul and Paul Marquart of Dilworth, became the latest additions to the retirement list this week. Mariani chairs a public safety committee, while Marquart, who represented a GOP-leaning district, leads taxes.
- Tim Miller, a legislator from Prinsburg who is a member of the New House Republican Caucus, also announced this week his plans to move on from the Legislature.
Plus: Five more legislators, including former Senate leader Paul Gazelka and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, are seeking other offices.
Why it matters: Retirements create open races that could reshape the Legislature with new voices.
Art Shanty Projects return to Minneapolis
After a four-year hiatus, the Art Shanty Projects — a village of mini-shacks designed by artists — are coming to frozen Lake Harriet, starting Saturday.
What's happening: This year's 18 unique shanties include a spot for visitors to throw ice sculptures, a booth to play with giant bird puppets and a free store offering winter gear for those in need.
- Plus: Enjoy events and activities like the Wearable ArtCar +ArtBike Parade on Ice, Trash-ket Ball, hula-hooping and yoga.
Twin Cities suburbs take a pass on mask mandates
Minneapolis and St. Paul largely stand alone when it comes to reviving mask mandates in response to rising Omicron cases.
Driving the news: The Duluth City Council became the latest Minnesota city government to reject a mandate Monday night.
- Local leaders in Bloomington passed a resolution this week encouraging, but not requiring, residents and visitors to wear masks and follow other CDC and state health guidance on curbing COVID.
Why it matters: Masking — especially with an N95 or similar face coverings — in crowded indoor spaces is one of the best tools we have to prevent the virus' spread.
- The cities of Hopkins and Golden Valley cited that reasoning in passing mask mandates of their own Tuesday night.