Walz To MN Legislature: Pass Vaccine Requirements For Teachers

MINNESOTA — Gov. Tim Walz Tuesday called on the Minnesota Legislature to pass a bill that requires vaccine and testing requirements for teachers, school staff, and workers in long-term care facilities.

The request came in a letter to lawmakers that outlined his priorities for a possible special legislative session to tackle "the fourth wave of this terrible pandemic."

"The pandemic continues to threaten public health, especially among Minnesotans who cannot yet get vaccinated," Walz said in a statement. "I urge them to move quickly to keep our kids in school and to allow our hospitals, nursing homes, and child care facilities to effectively respond to the virus."

Currently, public school districts can determine their own policies when it comes to everything from masks and vaccines requirements to social distancing and quarantine guidelines.

The public school districts in both Minneapolis and St. Paul require teachers to be vaccinated or submit to regular COVID-19 testing. Most districts in Minnesota do not have a vaccine requirement.

"Minnesota can and should lead by expeditiously implementing these components of President Biden’s announcement regarding vaccine requirements," Walz wrote to lawmakers.

"Consistent requirements for schools that help keep kids safely learning in the classroom, including parental notification of cases, isolation and quarantine, participation in testing and masking as well as other mitigation strategies. Additionally, ensure that districts provide food and other essential services for each and every student when they are not able to hold in-person classes."

Read Walz's entire letter to Minnesota lawmakers below: