Franklin County requires mask, even if state order expires

Even if the state mandate requiring facial covering expires, Franklin County residents will still need to mask up.

The Franklin County Board of Health released an emergency order on Tuesday that says regardless of the county’s COVID-19 emergency rating, the mask mandate will stay in effect for Franklin County residents until otherwise noted.

The order does not apply to children under the age of 10.

There are also exceptions for those with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask safely, those communicating with the hearing impaired, and those who are alone in their workspace.

The order also does not apply to Columbus and Worthington, as those cities are governed by Columbus Public Health, rather than Franklin County Public Health.

As of now, Franklin County is one of 12 Ohio counties with mask requirements, because the state considers to be experiencing virus spread at a level three, where exposure is high and activities should be limited as much as possible.

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However, this new order means the county facial covering requirement now supersedes the state facial covering requirement.

This past Tuesday, the Columbus City Council passed an ordinance that would require a mask in most public settings or non-compliers will face a $25 fine. The new ordinance began with an executive order the Thursday prior, but at that time no fine was attached as a penalty for skipping the mask.

How do you feel about the handling of the mask mandates? Who should have the final say? Sound off below!

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify the order’s exemptions.

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