News & Insights

Beginning on Friday, July, 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., face coverings must be worn in Minnesota by all persons at indoor businesses, indoor public settings, and by workers outside when social distancing practices cannot be followed. Businesses are required to update their COVID-19 Preparedness Plans to include this requirement, inform their workers of this update, and make the revised plan available. Additionally, businesses must post one or more signs that will be visible to all workers, customers, and visitors instructing them to wear a face covering. Specific industry guidance is available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website.

Businesses must provide reasonable accommodations to those who state they have an underlying heath condition or disability that makes it unreasonable to wear a face covering. Reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to, using a face shield or providing options that do not require entry into the indoor business. Businesses are not allowed to make any person show proof of or explain the nature of their underlying health condition or disability, and the order does not permit a business to make an otherwise illegal inquiry into an employee’s underlying condition.

Workplace health and safety is the responsibility of the business and the business is responsible for following the applicable Industry Guidance available on the Stay Safe Minnesota website, Minnesota OSHA Standards, and MDH and CDC Guidelines. The complete text of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-81 can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

At the time of this e-alert Wisconsin does not have a statewide face covering order in place. However, Ashland, Bayfield, and Dane counties along with the cities of Glendale, Green Bay (effective Monday, July 27, 2020), Milwaukee, Shorewood, Superior, and Whitewater have mask related orders in place.

For information on the new Minnesota order or any current local Wisconsin mask orders, do not hesitate to contact your Ruder COVID-19 focus team for information.