Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank in MN delay office returns due to virus

Two of the largest employers in downtown Minneapolis, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp, are pushing back their return-to-office plans this fall as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, spurred largely by the contagious delta variant.

Wells Fargo sent a memo to employees on Thursday, saying the company is aiming for a phased return starting Oct. 4, a month later than planned.

U.S. Bank also pushed back its Sept. 7 planned return to a date that’s yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools are taking steps to bring back mask mandates for students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Face coverings will be required in all Minneapolis school buildings beginning Monday.

In St. Paul, a mask mandate plan will be presented to school board members on Tuesday.

The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University announced this week that they will require students and employees to be vaccinated.

On Thursday, health officials reported five new deaths from COVID-19 and 878 new cases.

So far in Minnesota, 69.2% of those 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

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AP

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