Pandemic-related social distancing restrictions at places of worship will end May 28, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

The change is part of Gov. Tim Walz’s plan to safely phase out Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rise across the state and summer diminishes risk of contracting the illness. Walz announced the changes and issued a related executive order May 6.

In March, Walz lifted a previous 50% capacity limit for worship spaces, but retained the requirement for 6-foot social distancing between households, which, for many parishes, meant continued capacity limits. As of May 28, indoor social distancing requirements and group size limits will be eliminated at houses of worship, businesses and other public places. The executive order also lifts occupancy limits and social distancing requirements for outdoor spaces, effective May 7.

Walz’s May 6 executive order continues the face-covering mandate for public indoor spaces, but the governor said he expects it to end no later than July 1, when he anticipates the state to hit a 70% vaccination rate. Currently, about 59% of adults and youths over age 16 in Minnesota have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

“Wearing a face covering is one of the simplest ways to prevent COVID-19 transmission, and our adherence to the face-covering mandate has saved lives,” Walz’s executive order states. “However, as our vaccination rate steadily climbs, this Executive Order plans for an eventual end to the face-covering mandate along with remaining business restrictions at a time when it is prudent.”

Mask wearing has proven controversial, including among Catholics. Last week, Archbishop Bernard Hebda released a video message encouraging Catholics to continue wearing face masks at church to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In March 2020, after the novel coronavirus was first identified in the state, Walz ordered pandemic-related restrictions on businesses, schools and other places of public gathering, including houses of worship, effectively launching a statewide shutdown that began to ease in May 2020. Restrictions have loosened incrementally over the past year.

Still remaining for local Catholics, however, is the temporary dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. Archbishop Hebda granted the dispensation in March 2020, shortly before suspending public worship in parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Public Masses resumed in a limited capacity in May 2020.