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Elkhart County Health Department
Public Health Order No. 01-2020
Face Covering Mandate

The outbreak of a new coronavirus continues to cause the disease caUed COVID-19.
COVID-19 is having a direct impact on the health and safety of Elkhart County residents. Elkhart
County is experiencing record numbers of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Elkhart County
has recently seen an increased hospital census because of COVID-19. Elkhart County’s ICU bed
availability has fallen significantly. In order to protect public health, restrictions must be
established to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
With this understanding/ I hereby Order the following/ effective Jime 30, 2020, at
12:01 AM:
A. Face Covering Mandate
Every individual must properly wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when
they are at:

1. an indoor area open to the public, including public transportation;
2. an outdoor public area where a distance of 6 feet from individuals outside of their
   household cannot be maintained; or
3. a private indoor or outdoor area where a distance of 6 feet from individuals outside of
   their household cannot be maintained.
   An adult should supervise use of face coverings by children aged 3 to 12 to avoid misuse. A
   properly worn face covering is one that fully covers the individual’s mouth and nose/ fits snugly
   against the sides of the face with no gaps/ is secured (i.e. straps, ear loops) to prevent slipping,
   and aUows for breathing with no restriction. All face coverings, which are not disposed of after
   each use, should be washed each day it is used and made completely dry before the next use.
   B. Exceptions to the Face Covering Mandate
   The EIkhart County Health Department recognizes that the following individuals are not
   required to wear a face covering as a result of this Order No. 01-2020:
4. any child aged two years or less (a face covering may cause such a child to suffocate);
5. any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a
   face covering;
6. any individual who is deaf and needs to remove the face covering to use facial and mouth
   movements as a part of their communication;
7. any individual who has been advised by medical professional that wearing a face covering
   may pose a risk to the person wearing the face covering for health related reasons;
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8. any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated/ or otherwise
   unable to remove the face covering without assistance;
9. any individual who is directed to remove a face covermg by a law enforcement officer;
10. any einployee engaged in a work related activity where a face covering would serve to
    present or exacerbate a hazard as recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health
    Administration;
11. any individual whose reUgious beliefs prevents them from wearing a face covering;
12. any restaurant or bar customer while they are dining; and
13. any individual who (1) is not in an area open to the public and (2) can maintain at least 6
    feet from all other individuals not residing in his or her household.
    C. Business and Employer Requirements
    Every business and employer in EIkhart County must take the following steps to ensure
    that all employees and visitors of the entity comply with this Order:
14. AU employers in Elkhart County must amend their COVID-19 continued operations plan,
    fast established per the mandate included in Section 4 of Executive Order 20-26 and still
    required by Section 5.b of Executive Order 20-32, to requu-e all employees and visitors to
    wear face coverings in accordance with this Order.
15. All businesses must post the EngUsh and Spanish version of the Order No. 01-2020 sign (PDF
    copy wiU.be available athttp://www.elkhartcoimtyhealth.org/) at each available enfa-ance to
    theu’ building.
16. All business must continue to foUow the Executive Order of the Governor and any other
    Orders issued by state or local officials. This includes, but is not Uucnited to, inaintairung social
    distancing (at least six feet of separation) and sanitation requirements.
    D. Intent and Use of this Order
    The intent of this Order is to mandate that all people in Elkhart County, whether engaged
    in work activities, social activities, or everyday activities, wear a face covering, as outUned herein,
    to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This Order is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19
    throughout EUkhart County and protect public health. When applying this Order, it is important
    to remember the following:
17. Nothing in this Order reduces or eliminates the requirements imposed by the Executive
    Orders of Governor Holcomb, or unposed by any directive or order from the local health
    officer. Governor/ or other regulatory local, state, or federal agency.
18. Actions that contradict this Order do not create grounds for residents or law enforcement
    to stop, detain, issue a citation/ arrest, intimidate, or harass individuals that do not comply
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    with this Order. This Order should be used to educate/ encourage, ‘and persuade
    individuals to wear face coverings.
19. Use of a face covering does not replace the need to take the additional necessary protective
    measures set forth in Section E below.
    E. Additional Necessary Protective Measures
    Use of a face covering as mandated by this Order does not replace the need for all Elkhart
    County employers/ residents/ and visitors to take additional necessary protective measures to
    protect against the spread of COVID-19. To keep Elkhart County working, activities open, and
    ourselves healthy, everyone should maintain the following basic protective measures:
20. Wash your hands frequently during the day for 20 seconds with soap and water. If this is
    not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
21. Mlaintain a mintmum of 6 feet of distance between yourself and individuals outside of
    your household.
22. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
23. Stay home and isolate yourself from other members of your household if you are sick.
24. Avoid being around sick people.
25. Clean frequently touched surfaces often.
26. Sneeze and cough in the inside of your elbow or in a tissue.
    F. Scope and Duration
    This Order goes into effect at 12:01 AM on June 30, 2020. This Order will remain in effect
    until rescmded by the Elkhart County Local Health Officer. Prior to rescinding this Order, the
    Health Officer intends to examine the nuinber and percentage of positive cases in Elkhart County
    in comparison to the State of Indiana, the hospitalization census for EIkhart County, and the
    availability of ICU beds m Elkhart County. For the duration of this Order, this Order supersedes
    the Guidance on Wearing Face Coverings issued by the Elkhart County Health Deparfanent on
    June 12, 2020. Compliance with this Order is not required to the extent necessary to comply with
    any federal/ state, or local laws, rules, and regulations.
    Signed and issued June 29, 2020, in Elkhart County, Indiana.
    L^yc~ ZhlL
    Dr. Lydia Mertz/ ElkHart County
    Local Health Officer
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