Hark! Cafe in downtown Minneapolis will require customers to show proof of vaccination if they want to dine indoors, becoming one of the first restaurants in Minnesota to enact such a policy.
The restaurant, located in the Historic Kickernick Building at 430 First Avenue N., announced the new policy Thursday, writing: "We truly appreciate your help keeping Hark! safe for our community."
The new requirement applies to anyone aged 12 years and up, and goes into effect Tuesday, Aug. 24.
It does not apply to outdoor dining, takeout or delivery. Any customer can still take advantage of those options, without needing to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test.
The cafe, which is asking people to be masked when indoors and not at your table, says to simply let them know while ordering if you want to eat indoors. If you do, they'll ask you to show proof you're vaccinated, or a negative COVID test result taken in the past 48 hours.
There is no federal law prohibiting a private business from requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative test, with Healthline comparing such a rule to "No shirt, no shoes, no service," or dress codes at a night club. HIPAA is also irrelevant in these situations.
Hark! Cafe's menu is entirely plant-based and gluten-free. It opened in downtown Minneapolis in December of 2020.
