Coronavirus

Wayne County, Ind. commissioners vote unanimously against county-wide mask mandate

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. — Wayne County, Indiana commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to not implement a countywide mask mandate despite the recommendation by the county’s health department to implement one.

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The vote came a day after Indiana removed its statewide mandate but allowed counties and cities to enact their own mandate if they choose. Private businesses are also allowed to implement their own facial covering requirements, regardless of the mandate in the city or county they are in.

Commissioners Mary Anne Butters, Ken Paust and Jeff Plasterer all said while they will not put a mask mandate into place at the county level, however they are still encouraging people to wear their masks in public.

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The Wayne County Health Department’s health board voted 4-2 last week on a recommendation to the county commissioners to enact their own mandate for the county. However the recommendation is just that, and requires approval from the commissioners.

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said earlier this week the city will not enact its own mask mandate, but encourages all to wear masks when appropriate.

Wayne County had 59 cases per 100,000 residents in its most recent update of data from the Indiana Department of Health.

Statewide the mask mandate became a mask advisory and still requires facial coverings in some places regardless of county including schools, state government buildings, and COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites, according to CBS affiliate WTTV-TV.



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