Governor Holcomb announced on Wednesday that he will sign a mandate that requires all Hoosiers to wear masks at certain times in certain situations.
Those situations are as follows:
- Masks must be worn by anyone over the age of eight when in indoor spaces
- Using public transportation
- Or outside when you’re not socially or physically distanced from someone who isn’t in your household.
- All students who are in third grade or above will be required to wear a mask at school.
Holcomb said the decision came due to a spike in cases not only in Indiana but the surrounding states.
In the past week, Indiana has returned to high numbers ranging close to 1000 cases per day which haven’t been seen since earlier in the spring.
Additionally, face coverings will be required in schools for students in the third grade and above, faculty, staff, volunteers and anyone else in schools. Mask are also required for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities with exceptions for strenuous physical activity.
The order will have exceptions for medical purposes, disabilities, exercising, and eating and drinking.
The state will approach enforcement of the face-covering requirement with an emphasis on education.
The executive order states a penalty can be levied under the authority of state law. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.
Not following the mandate is a class B misdemeanor, according to Gov. Holcomb.
The mandate will go into effect July 27.
