INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has shifted authority over face coverings in schools to local school boards in a new executive order.
As of June 30, the state will no longer require facemasks inside Indiana schools. Starting July 1, local school boards will determine what measures or restrictions are needed in their local schools regarding the spread of COVID-19, the new order signed by Holcomb reads.
Local school boards including Northwest Allen County Schools’ has faced calls by parents to lift mask mandates in their schools for weeks.
Now, they’ll have control over it.
The Governor’s decision to extend masks in schools through June allows more children 12-15 to become fully vaccinated. We continue to endorse CDC guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can safely gather indoors, without masks in most situations. In addition, the CDC’s update to youth camp guidance brings it in line with their other guidance on fully vaccinated individuals. We continue to urge all eligible Hoosiers to take advantage of these safe and highly effective vaccines.
Dr. Matthew Sutter: Allen County Health Commissioner
Holcomb also extended the state’s public health emergency, which allows the state to continue to receive pandemic emergency funds for programs such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Other changes in the new orders are:
- Removing the mask mandate while in state facilities, except for anyone inside any these state government congregate facilities – the state prisons, state hospitals, Indiana Veterans Home and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Masks are also still required inside COVID testing and vaccination clinics.
- Directing Hoosiers to follow the CDC guidance for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people regarding mask wearing and other protective measures.
- Waiving any penalties or interest payments accrued on state income taxes on unemployment wages that must be paid due to HEA 1436.
