MADISON, Wis.– Depending on where you live in Wisconsin, masks might not be required anymore.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Tony Evers overstepped his emergency powers in issuing multiple emergency orders, which included a statewide mask mandate. That mandate is no longer valid.
Some counties in South Central Wisconsin enforce their own mask mandates that are still in effect.
The following counties require masks:
Dane County: Public Health Madison and Dane County’s Emergency Order 14 requires everyone five-years-old or older to wear a face covering while in an enclosed space both inside and outside. There are some exceptions. Director Janel Heinrich said they will continue to require masks because they’re an effective strategy at reducing transmission of COVID-19. Heinrich said she encourages people everywhere to wear masks.
“We are asking everyone to continue to wear their masks,” Heinrich said. “This disease crosses geographic boundaries. So, whether you’re in Dane County or outside of Dane County, please continue to wear your mask.”
BREAKING: Dane County’s mask mandate remains in place despite today’s Supreme Court decision.
— Joe Parisi (@DaneCoJoe) March 31, 2021
The current order expires on April 7.
Rock County: An active order from the Rock County Health Department requires everyone five-years-old or older to wear a face covering while in an enclosed space both inside and outside. There are some exceptions. The order expires on May 5.
The following counties do not require masks:
Grant County: Grant County Health Department does not have the support to enforce a countywide mandate, according to Director Jeff Kindrai. He said in an email that the department will most likely advise businesses to require masks on their own and encourage people to wear them.
Green County: Green County does not currently have a mask mandate, but the public health department encourages people to wear one, according to a public health educator.
Juneau County: A Juneau County Public Health Supervisor said in an email that the department will not require masks at this time.
Sauk County: Sauk County does not have a mask mandate, according to Director and COVID-19 Incident Commander Treemanisha Stewart. She said the public health department does not hold the power to require masks, but encourages everyone to wear one.
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