Gov. Holcomb Announces Statewide Face Covering Requirement

The mask mandate goes into effect on Monday, July 27.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced he will sign an executive order requiring Hoosiers to wear face coverings in most public settings, beginning Monday.

“As we continue to monitor the data, we’ve seen a concerning change in some of our key health indicators,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Hoosiers have worked hard to help re-open our state, and we want to remain open. By masking up, we can and will save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

A mask or other face covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas and t-shirts. The mouth and nose should be covered.

The executive order will require face coverings for anyone 8 years old or older in the following places:

-          Public indoor spaces and commercial entities

-          While using public transportation or other vehicle services such as a taxi or ride share

-          Outdoor public spaces when it’s not possible to socially distance from people not in the same household

Additionally, face coverings will be required in schools for students in the third grade and above, faculty, staff, volunteers and anyone else in schools. Mask are also required for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities with exceptions for strenuous physical activity.

The order will have exceptions for medical purposes, disabilities, exercising, and eating and drinking.

The state will approach enforcement of the face covering requirement with an emphasis on education. The executive order states a penalty can be levied under the authority of state law.  Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.

Once signed, the executive order will be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) responded to Governor Holcomb's Wednesday press conference:

"I wholeheartedly agree with the governor's new mandate for mask wearing across the state. Medical professionals have, for some time, called for mask mandates as cases rise across the state and country. Just as we must wear seat belts to protect ourselves while driving, we must now wear a face covering to ensure we can keep all Hoosiers safe.

"I do challenge the governor to make sure that the state is doing all it can to assist schools to open safely. Right now, based upon feedback I am getting from my constituents, I am still skeptical that schools have received enough guidance and resources to actually do what the governor is calling upon them to accomplish.

"The health and safety of our children, teachers and staff must be our top priorities. We must resist pressuring schools to reopen prematurely, and I hope that Governor Holcomb will publicly rebuke the president's threats to strip funding away from schools who refuse to open. The governor's pressure on schools to open should not supersede any concerns that our teachers and parents have expressed.

"The governor's insistence for schools to open underlines my point from Democrats' joint press conference yesterday. If we expect all schools to reopen safely, then there should be no reason to forbid elected officials to safely and smartly hold a special session to vote on important legislation that Hoosiers need now. It's time to address police violence, extend no-excuse absentee voting and get COVID-19 resources to those who desperately need them. Let's get to work to help Hoosier families."