Governor Eric Holcomb is moving ahead with the process of lifting the statewide mask mandate. The governor signed an executive order Wednesday that removes the mask requirement in most circumstances starting on Tuesday, April 6. But during Wednesday’s press conference, Holcomb said he’ll keep an eye on the potential need going forward.
“I’m focused on our ability to care for those who need and that we have the resources to care for those who are in need, in terms of our PPE, in terms of our therapeutics, in terms of our ICU bed availability, in terms of doc availability, assistant availability, all the stressors on the system,” Holcomb said.
However, masks will still be required in certain places, such as state government properties and COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites. Another place where masks will be required in many circumstances is K-through-12 schools, even though children are less likely to have severe complications from the virus.
But State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box noted that they’re also the age group that still isn’t eligible for the vaccine. “I think it’s really important that families feel comfortable that their children could go to school right now and not have an increased risk because we know the masks have been working in school,” she said. “So once we are able to have more people vaccinated, I think that makes a lot more sense to not have to have the masks.”
The changes taking effect Tuesday will allow all types of businesses to be open, as long as they follow precautions. The state will no longer limit the size of events and gatherings, but will leave that up to local health departments.
But efforts in the General Assembly to make it harder for local governments to be more restrictive are drawing concern from Governor Holcomb, and he said he would veto a bill that would let the legislature call its own special session during an emergency. “All these bills – and there’s multiple – that have anything to do with how we manage our way through this thorny period in our state’s history concerns me,” Holcomb added. “It better concern me.”
In the meantime, all of the governor’s current directives remain in effect through Monday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m. In a separate executive order, Governor Holcomb renewed the state’s public health emergency declaration for a 13th time. Now, it’ll remain in effect until at least April 30.
