As COVID numbers start to spike again in Minnesota, the state fair might be considering a masking policy for the upcoming event. The Great Minnesota Get Together starts on August 26th, which is just a short three weeks away.

As of early Wednesday, August 4th, no formal decision has been made or announced, but many businesses in Minnesota have changed their mask policy in the past week. Target, the Minnesota State System, Grand Casinos, and select Walmarts have all brought back mask policies for employees, customers, or both.

In addition, the CDC has also started to once again recommend face mask wearing for everyone in 44 out of 87 counties in Minnesota. Morrison, Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Meeker, and Mille Lacs are all listed as counties with a "substantial risk" of contracting COVID.

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The fair shared on their updates page:

The health and safety of everyone is the State Fair’s top priority, and the fair continues to follow and monitor current guidance from federal and state health officials. Restrictions regarding large gatherings have recently eased, so at this time, the State Fair does not anticipate daily attendance limits. Further, at this time, masks will not be required for fair guests but are strongly encouraged for those not fully vaccinated.

Mask policy or not, the good news is you could get your state fair trip financially covered if you get your COVID vaccine. The State of Minnesota is now offering a $100 Visa gift card to unvaccinated individuals 12 and older who get their first COVID-19 vaccination dose through August 15th

We will update this story when we have official word from the State Fair on their masking policy.

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