Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a new policy Wednesday that requires all Minnesota state employees show proof of vaccination or receive a negative COVID-19 test each week in order to be allowed to work on-site.

This not only falls in line with similar requirements required of federal employees, but also with policies that have recently been put in place at various businesses and college campuses across the state.

Recently, the University of Minnesota announced that upon FDA approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected soon, all students across all campuses would be required to get vaccinated. This of course includes students at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

According to Governor Walz, state agency employees working in person will be required to show proof of vaccination and attest to their vaccination status by Wednesday, September 8. Employees who are not vaccinated will be required to receive a negative COVID-19 test at least once a week in order to work on-site at all public workplaces around the state.

“Vaccination is the best way to keep employees and the people we serve safe and ensure the Delta variant does not derail our economic recovery,” said Governor Walz. “The state is leading by example and working to get our public employees vaccinated to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their communities. With this action, we’re joining businesses and colleges across the state who have taken this important step, and I urge other employers to do the same.”

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Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan added that with Delta variant cases rising in Minnesota, everyone deserves to feel confident in their safety and security while at work.

Health experts say getting the COVID-19 vaccine not only helps prevent getting the virus and the Delta variant, but if a breakthrough case occurs it helps prevent people from getting the worst of it. Most COVID-19 hospitalizations and death involve people who have not received the vaccine.

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