Governor issues mask order

Less than a month after multiple county health officers requested approval of mask mandates, Governor Mark Gordon has approved a state-wide health order requiring the use of masks in public places effective today. Along with requiring the use of face coverings, changes to current health orders issued by the governor reduces the operating time of bars and restaurants.

Similar to many of the recent health orders issued by county health officers in recent weeks, the state-wide order applies to all indoor public spaces and will extend to January 8, 2021. All businesses must post notices of the requirement for masks as must all government facilities. Children over the age of 12 are also required to wear a mask while children between the ages of 3 and 11 are encouraged to do so as well.

Those exempt to the mask order include people who have medical or mental health conditions that would prevent them from wearing a face covering. Additionally, masks are not required when a person is sitting at a table in an establishment and is six feet from other patrons. This exemption also applied to family groups.

While the issuance of the mask order is a recent major move by the governor, who has spent the majority of the last nine months appealing to Wyoming residents to wear face coverings, another major change is to health orders in regards to restaurants and bars.

Under the new changes, both bars and restaurants must close for on-site consumption from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., though they may still offer takeout and delivery options during those hours as provided by law. This change does not apply, however, to restaurants in travel centers and truck stops.

“We have said from the beginning that we will follow the science. We are at a critical juncture for our state,” said the governor in a Monday press release. “These next few months are going to be challenging for our businesses, citizens, families, and our healthcare workers. This is a necessary step to ensure a happy and healthy holiday season and a safer and Merry Christmas, and set ourselves in good stead for the new year. The deployment of the vaccine in the coming months will help put this awful virus finally at bay and bring us back to some semblance of normal.”

The statewide orders can be found at governor.wyo.gov.