A woman in a mask heads past CVS Pharmacy on Kirkwood Avenue Wednesday. People across the county are now required to wear masks based on a new health order issued Friday. (Rich Janzaruk / Herald-Times)
Exceptions to face covering requirement
Monroe County Health Officer Thomas Sharp and the local health department released a new local health order on Friday that requires everyone two years and older wear a face covering. There are some exceptions to the requirement. According to a news release, they are:
- When a face covering would impede communication, such as for those with speech and hearing impairments.
- When a documented physical, medical or health related reason precludes covering the face
- When receiving health care services where face coverings would interfere with services as designated by the healthcare provider.
- When alone in a room in a public building, such as an office, or traveling in a personal vehicle
- When incarcerated
- While working at a job where a face covering would present a safety risk, as determined by government workplace safety regulations
- When involved in indoor exercise incompatible with wearing a face covering, including swimming
- When involved in outdoor physical exercise, such as running, walking, biking or swimming, if in groups less than 25
- When seated in restaurants, bars and other establishments that serve food and drink. Those not seated must wear face coverings.
- When outdoors and able to be socially distance (6 feet away) from others not of their immediate household
- Emergency situations where there is not time or means to put on a face covering before entering a public space.
Monroe County now joins a list of Indiana communities that require face coverings to be worn in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Monroe County Health Officer Thomas Sharp and the Monroe County Health Department released a new health order on Friday. It includes a face covering requirement that began at 5 p.m. Friday. The requirement is for everyone over 2 years old, with some exceptions.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said all individuals must wear a face shield, a face covering or a mask over the nose and mouth when indoors at places other than their home or family member’s residence and outdoors when maintaining a social distance of at least six feet is not possible.
Similar to other Indiana communities, there are exceptions to the face covering requirement. According to the order, these include individuals who are hearing or speaking impaired and for whom a face covering is an obstacle to communication; alone in a room; traveling in personal vehicles; engaged in indoor or outdoor physical exercise; incarcerated; and in emergency situations.
Monroe County joins communities such as West Lafayette, which issued an order making face coverings mandatory on Monday. The emergency order states that those who do not wear a mask can face a fine up to $100 for the first offense and up to $250 for subsequent offenses. Summons for a violation would be issued by the city’s code enforcement officers.
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