Dane County Health Officials Will Require Masks Indoors Thursday

MADISON, WI — Dane County health officials issued an emergency order Tuesday requiring people 2 and over to wear a face covering while inside with other people.

The new health order will go into effect on Thursday, Public Health Madison & Dane County said in a statement. This follows a spike in the county's seven-day COVID-19 case average and updated federal masking guidance.

On Thursday, the seven day average rose to 91.6, a 382 percent increase since July 19, health officials said. The average number of cases on July 19 was just 19.

“We still believe vaccines are our best tool to protect our community,” Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County Janel Heinrich said. “But as cases continue to increase, requiring face coverings is an easy added layer of protection to further help keep people safe, including our youngest children not yet eligible to be vaccinated.”

The order will remain in effect until Sept. 16, the order said.

Here are the details of the mask order:

• Face coverings over the mouth and nose will be required for people 2 and older in any enclosed public space where other people are present. Face coverings will also be required when driving or riding in any form of public transportation.
• People can remove their face coverings while eating or drinking, sleeping, seeing a dentist or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing.
• All places subject to the order have to write out a procedure that ensures its employees have and wear face coverings when required.
• All places open to the public must post signs that tells people that face coverings are required to enter.
• If one provision of the order is invalid when applied to one person or situation, then the rest will remain in full effect.