Starting July 27, anyone over the age of 8 will be required to wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, commercial entities, transportation services or any outside public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
"The simple act of covering our faces, as odd as it may feel, can help us prevent the transmission of the virus, which is why this is the next prudent step that we as a state need to take," Holcomb said.
In school, masks will be required for any children in third grade or older, as well as faculty, staff, volunteers and anyone else in the school. Masks will also be required for co-curricular and extracurricular activities that do not involve strenuous physical activity.
While not required, it is recommended that children ages 2 to 7 wear a mask as well. While not wearing a mask is considered a Class B misdemeanor, Holcomb said enforcement will not be strict. "Please know that the mask police will not be patrolling Indiana streets," Holcomb said.
Exemptions will be made for the following:
- Medical purposes
- Strenuous physical activity
- Eating and drinking
“I know not everyone will be supportive of this mandate. Compliance and enforcement are always in question. Our approach, if you recall, since Day 1, since the very beginning of this pandemic, has an approach of education, of appealing to one’s civic duty and public good. You might even say public pride and being part of the solution. And it will continue to be.”
Indiana’s mask mandate comes after the neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky begun such mandates. Ohio’s mask mandate begins at 6 p.m. Thursday.
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