Citing rising COVID-19 cases, Public Health Madison & Dane County has issued a face covering emergency order effective Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. The countywide order requires that everyone age 2 and older wear a face covering or mask when in any enclosed building where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, could be present.
On July 19, the county’s seven-day average number of cases was 19, and on Aug. 12, the seven-day average increased by 382% to 91.6 — much of it attributed to the prevalence of the Delta variant. The Delta variant is a naturally occurring mutation of the SARS CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Data shows that the variant is more contagious and spreads more easily than the original COVID-19 virus, including among people who are vaccinated.
As part of today’s order, Public Health asks that businesses post signs reminding customers and staff of the face covering requirement. The order will be in effect until Sept. 16, 2021, at 12:01 a.m.
“We still believe vaccines are our best tool to protect our community,” says Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison & Dane County, “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.”
This is the second policy update in the past month. On July 27, Public Health issued a mask advisory, strongly encouraging everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask indoors in response to updated CDC guidance regarding use of masks.
Public Health strongly recommends wearing a face covering at private gatherings or crowded outdoor settings. It also recommends getting your COVID vaccine if you haven’t done so.
“With our kids heading back to school and hospitals in other parts of the country overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, moving from a mask recommendation to a requirement is a commonsense step to prevent disease spread and protect the kids in our community who can’t get vaccinated yet,” says Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.
For more information about COVID-19 in Dane County and the latest public health order, visit publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus. You can also follow @publichealthmdc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
