Starting July 8, businesses will be required to post signs that urge customers to wear masks, but mandatory mask wearing is still up to the businesses themselves.
(Emma Atkinson, WFIU/WTIU News)
Now that four counties in Indiana require the wearing of masks inside public places, several Monroe County residents are asking why local officials haven’t done the same.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the health department has the authority to require masks, and that it will consider doing so.
“We feel like there are things we need to work out before we can make that mandate because otherwise we’re just going to tell tell people to do it, and there’s not going to be anything behind it," Caudill said.
Caudill said the mandate would require time and personnel to execute it. She said they’ll be working together over the next two weeks with the City of Bloomington to decide if mandatory mask wearing is possible.
"It would be preferable if we had a national order on this to put in place appropriately in the middle of a national pandemic," Mayor John Hamilton said.
Hamilton said it would also help if the state made a mandatory order.
The Monroe County Health Department announced stage 4.5 of the county's reopening plan will begin on Saturday, July 4. The new health order will keep indoor capacities the same and advance most outdoor activities.
Restaurants– remain at 75% capacity; employees must wear masks
Bar seating in restaurants – remain at 50% capacity; employees must wear masks
Bars and nightclubs– remain at 50% capacity; employees must wear masks
Retail stores – remain at 100% capacity
Social gatherings (weddings, parties, events) – (In Monroe County)
Indoor – limited to 100 people
Outdoor – limited to 150 people
The order will also require businesses to post a sign at the main entrance that requests patrons to wear face coverings.
That requirement will go into effect on Wednesday, July 8.
