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Mankato, Rochester & Winona To Require Masks In Indoor Public Spaces Starting This Week

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Mankato, Rochester and Winona are joining the growing list of Minnesota cities requiring people to wear masks in public spaces.

The Mankato City Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday night, and it will go into effect come Friday.

There are a number exemptions to the mask requirement, such as indoor athletic facilities, movie theaters, entertainment venues, and for kids under 12 years old.

The order comes just a couple of weeks after a number of cases were traced back to a group that went bar-hopping in the city.

Rochester has also passed a mask ordinance for indoor public spaces in the city that goes into effect Wednesday.

Rochester police say they will be charging anyone who doesn't comply with trespassing.

In Winona, the citywide mask order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

The order requires all residents and visitors to wear face coverings indoors in public buildings and anywhere where social distancing is difficult.

The city is working to provide free masks for anyone who needs them.

Other Minnesota cities that require face masks in indoor public spaces are Minneapolis, St. Paul and Edina. However, Edina's city council is slated to vote Tuesday on expending the mayor's executive order.

Face coverings will be also mandatory for anyone in a court facility in the state, including judges and staff beginning July 13.

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