Indiana’s mask mandate will end Tuesday and local governments in the county have decided to follow suit.
Gov. Eric Holcomb will lift the state’s mask mandate and all other capacity restrictions for businesses and events starting Tuesday, but will continue to encourage folks to mask up. Though the governor’s executive orders will no longer be in effect, the state will be under a mask advisory, and local governments and businesses can decide to keep, lessen or strengthen restrictions in their own communities.
Johnson County will follow the state’s lead by lifting the mask mandate and switching to a mask advisory, said Brian Baird, Johnson County commissioner. Masks will not be required inside county government buildings, but the county will continue to utilize sneeze guards and its temperature scanners for those entering buildings, he said.
Businesses in the county can decide if they want to require masks for customers, or limit capacity. Baird said he has always thought it was not the Johnson County Board of Commissioners’ job to decide what residents in the county should do.
“I will continue to support the right of Johnson County citizens to make the individual choice to wear a mask if they feel it necessary or desired by the individual,” Baird said in a written statement. “As a commissioner, and as a citizen, I have not come to the conclusion that is was my right to make that decision for every citizen.”
Local cities and towns will take a slightly different approach.
The City of Franklin will continue to require masks inside city buildings, for both employees and residents, Mayor Steve Barnett said. This includes the city hall, court, parks, police and utility buildings.
Barnett will continue to encourage local businesses to keep requiring masks inside until at least the middle of the month due to concerns about cases rising as a result of the NCAA tournament in nearby Indianapolis and local families traveling for spring break, he said.
“I’m going to recommend that businesses continue their mask policies, but it will be up them,” Barnett said.
Similar to Franklin, Greenwood will require masks inside all city-owned buildings, and city offices will remain closed to the public through the end of the month, said Mayor Mark Myers. Residents can attend public meetings through a Zoom link shared on the city’s website.
Myers also asks that residents continue to wear masks in public, and encourages businesses to keep mask requirements, but the city government will not mandate anything. He echoed Barnett’s similar concerns about COVID-19 cases rising after spring break trips.
In Whiteland, the town will require masks inside the town hall and during public meetings at least through the middle of the month, said Kevin McGinnis, town manager. He also encourages people to continue wearing masks in public, despite the state mandate ending.
“I would encourage it, yes,” McGinnis said. “It just makes common sense.”
Nearby Indianapolis will continue its mask mandate and capacity restrictions, Mayor Joe Hogsett said Wednesday.
The change comes as cases and positivity rates rise again.
Johnson County is in the “yellow,” according to the state’s color-coded metrics, and is the only county in central Indiana with moderate spread of the virus. All others are in the “blue,” which means minimal spread.
The county’s 7-day positivity rate increased this week to 5.9%, up from 4.3% last week. The state’s 7-day positivity rate was 4% on Thursday.
