The Starke County Commissioners discussed the option to require face coverings during Monday night’s meeting.
According to Commissioner Mark Gourley, Starke County Public Health Officer Dr. Thomas Browne asked the commissioners to keep some kind of regulation as the county is in the yellow category on the state’s County Metrics Map which indicates a moderate community spread of COVID-19.
Governor Eric Holcomb’s mask mandate expired Monday to be replaced by a mask advisory that takes effect Tuesday, April 6, but his latest Executive Order still requires masks inside state government buildings, outside state government buildings when social distancing cannot be maintained, COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and K-12 schools through the end of the school year.
Commissioner Gourley made a motion to require face coverings inside both Starke County Annex Buildings, and the Starke County Courthouse. Face coverings will also be required to be worn outside of those buildings if social distancing cannot be achieved. As part of that motion, Gourley included that face coverings should also be worn at all K-12 schools in the county. Commissioner Bryan Cavender seconded the motion and it passed with Commission President Charlie Chesak providing the last supporting vote.
They acknowledged that county residents should follow everything else outlined in the governor’s Executive Order until it expires or is renewed.
