Gov. Holcomb issues statewide mask mandate for Indiana

Entrance at Meijer in Terre Haute/ Lucy Perry photo

UPDATE 7-24-20 - Gov, Eric Holcomb explained today that there will not be criminal penalties for those in violation of the statewide mask order.

--

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced today that he'll sign an executive order requiring Hoosiers to wear face coverings in public settings. The order will take effect Monday.

As officials keep their eye on climbing coronavirus cases locally, Holcomb feels the mandate is a necessary step in the pandemic.

"Hoosiers have worked hard to help re-open our state and we want to remain open. By masking up, we can & will save lives and slow the spread of COVID19," he said.

A mask or other face covering should cover the mouth and nose and may be:

• Factory-made
• Sewn by hand
• improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas and t-shirts.

The executive order will require people 8-years-old and older to wear face coverings at:

• Public indoor spaces, commercial entities
• Public transportation & vehicle services like taxi/ride share
• Outdoor public spaces when you can't socially distance from people who aren't in your household

Face coverings will be required in schools for students in the third grade and up , faculty, staff, volunteers and anyone else in schools.

Masks are also required for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities with exceptions for strenuous physical activity.

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

Those in violation of the order can face penalties. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines, according to the press release.


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

More info about our #BackOnTrack plan and ongoing efforts to combat #COVID19 can be found at http://BackOnTrack.IN.gov and http://Coronavirus.IN.gov.