Face Covering Emergency Order #3 will go into effect this Friday, extending the two previous mask mandates the municipal government put in place.
This extension will require people ages two and older to wear a mask in every enclosed space where they might be in contact with the public, with the exception of the person’s own household or living unit, according to Public Health Madison and Dane County.
New Dane County public health order prohibits indoor gatherings
According to Chair of the Board of Health for Madison & Dane County Jerry Halverson, Dane County is being cognizant of the upcoming cold weather that brings sickness and forces activities inside.
“As we transition to fall and then winter, protection of indoor spaces become even more important,” Halverson said. “Masking while indoors, as we are less able to have events outside due to weather, is a way that we can all help protect the community.”
Public officials stated transmission numbers in Dane County have been declining since September, though the levels of COVID-19 transmission still place the county at a high transmission level.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Dane County saw 1478 new COVID-19 cases on Oct. 3, down from 1,865 daily cases a month earlier.
Face Covering Emergency Order #3 is the third mask mandate Public Health Madison and Dane County issued. Dane County has had a mask mandate since Aug. 19, according to Public Health Madison and Dane County.
Halverson said future extensions will depend heavily on the recorded transmission numbers, as well as any changes in CDC guidance.
Halverson said masks and the COVID-19 vaccine are the most effective ways to decrease transmission in the community. The COVID-19 vaccine is still available at a variety of locations across the city.
“For those that are upset about the indoor masking continuing, I would encourage them to do what they can to help decrease the COVID transmission in Dane County so that we can get to levels of transmission where the masking is no longer needed,” Halverson said.
