Message from the Chancellor on Proof of Vaccination and Testing Policy, Aug. 11, 2021
Colleagues,
Today Governor Walz announced that, effective September 8, all state agency employees, including employees of Minnesota State, who are assigned to work at the workplace or otherwise provide agency services outside their home are required to either show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or be tested at least weekly. Teleworkers who wish to access the workplace for more than 10 minutes or provide agency services outside their home will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before being allowed to do so. This new policy is the Governor’s latest effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect Minnesotans, especially as the Delta variant is driving the latest surge in cases. We are working on how you will attest to your vaccination status and how you will access testing and will share details with you in the coming weeks.
While this policy does not take effect until September 8, I strongly encourage that we all get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are the way we end this pandemic. They are safe and protect those who are medically unable or ineligible to get vaccinated, our families, and our economy. Vaccine appointments are available at VaccineConnector.mn.gov. (If you receive your first dose by August 15, you will even be eligible for a $100 Visa gift card!)
In addition, we will continue using all the tools in our toolbox to maintain workplace safety:
- We are following updated CDC guidance on face coverings in indoor public areas of substantial or high levels of transmission (as I shared with you in my message to you on Monday, August 2).
- We encourage you to protect yourself and others by staying home if you are sick, washing your hands, and reviewing other prevention strategies as recommended by MDH.
- We continue to strongly encourage our students to be vaccinated as soon as possible, but we will remain flexible and adaptable in our approach to ensure that our colleges and universities continue to protect health and safety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health, the state is seeing a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, nearly entirely driven by the highly-contagious Delta variant. The overwhelming majority of these cases are among unvaccinated Minnesotans. If you have been waiting to get your shot, now is the time.
We know there will be many questions and we will be working with MMB to provide clarity on next steps and we will be sharing that information with your leadership. As always, you can access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other well-being resources at any time.
I would like to thank you all for remaining attentive and vigilant in focusing on our two priorities: protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, and supporting our students as they continue progress towards their educational goals.
Stay safe!
Devinder Malhotra
Chancellor
