Menu
Commissioners lift mask mandates for county buildings
Citing good COVID-19 metrics in the county in recent weeks, the Putnam County Commissioners on Monday lifted the mask mandate for citizens and employees in county buildings and offices.
The change took effect immediately on Monday morning.
In a unanimous vote, Commissioners Tom Helmer, David Berry and Rick Woodall lifted the mandate, provided social distancing can be maintained.
Masks are still recommended.
In bringing up the matter, Commissioner President Woodall pointed out that the Indiana State Department of Health metrics for Putnam County were at the lowest level in the state ratings.
“Looking at the chart today, it looks like we’re in the blue, which is the lowest,” Woodall said.
A blue rating is drawn from COVID-19 numbers for the two weeks ending with Monday, April 12, indicating 55 positive cases per 100,000 residents and a 2.89 positivity rate for the period.
The commissioners seemed poised to lift the mandate during the April 5 meeting, but acted on advice to wait two weeks until new numbers were available following spring break and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament being hosted in Indiana.
With no rise in local infection rates, the commissioners moved forward.
Signs are posted around the courthouse indicating that masks are still recommended.