St. Joseph County mask ordinance extended to May 27
-
1:52
While the rain is over, the cooling temperatures are not
-
2:28
Public forum hosted by John Glenn High School students
-
3:34
Kickoff preview with ABC57’s Allison Hayes
-
0:57
Completion of Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center one step closer
-
0:36
Niles High School students network with local professionals
-
3:59
Political group asks Indiana Democrats to vote in Republican...
-
3:01
New Buffalo Area Schools to build workforce housing
-
2:37
City seeks feedback for final Potawatomi Park plan
-
7:27
Center for the Homeless hosting Dancing With Our Stars
-
2:10
More wet weather arriving later tonight, but sunnier skies after
-
3:16
Public input on the proposal to restart the Palisades Nuclear...
-
1:35
Dari Fair opened Wednesday for 2024 season, temperatures cool...
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- St. Joseph County officials voted 7-2 Tuesday in favor of extending the mask ordinance until May 27th. This comes just several weeks after health department officials announced the extension of the mask mandate through May which did not require county approval.
“I believe that holding this for another 5 weeks and 5 days might save at least one life, and if it were to save one life, I’m willing to do the inconvenience of a mask for that short period of time," said Councilmember Richard Pfeil.
Although the council voted in favor of the extension officials say they have no intention of extending further after this date.
“I will in no way support an additional add to this date past the date stated," said Pfeil.
The ordinance requires all businesses to have all employees wear masks and have signs posted requesting customers to wear them as well.
The extension comes under extreme guidance from County Health Officer, Dr. Robert Einterz.
“Dr. Einterz chose the date of May 27th is because that is a time when all citizens all citizens of St. Joseph County 16 years and over would be who are eligible or have the opportunity to be vaccinated to be fully vaccinated by then," said Councilmember Diana Hess.
The ordinance gives the health department power to cite any businesses found in violation fines any where from $50 to $250.