Grant County Health Officer Issues Directive Mandating Masks in Some Places

Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny issued a directive Wednesday mandating use of face coverings in some public places.

It applies to grocery or retail stores, restaurants, hair salons or barbers, buses and more.

Health District Administrator Theresa Adkinson says, "Wearing a mask is not about protecting yourself it is about protecting those around you," calling it a selfless act of kindness.

Health District Officials say there is increasing evidence that masks slow the spread of COVID-19, particularly with 50 percent of people with the virus displaying few to no symptoms.

The Health Officer Directive applies to any indoor or confined public setting where a person will be within six feet of another individual, who does not share the same household, and includes, but is not limited to the following sectors: 

• Groceries, pharmacies, and other retail that sells food and beverage products, including but not  limited  to grocery stores, corner stores, and convenience stores (including liquor stores that sell food), farmers’ markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, "big box" stores  that sell  groceries and essentials, and similar food retail establishments. 
• Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and indoor sales for nurseries  that support food cultivation and production, office supply stores that support working-from-home, and home appliance retailers.
• Restaurants, food carry-out, quick-serve food operations–including food preparation, carry-out, and delivery food employees.
• Cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail stores; liquor, tobacco, and vapor retail stores.
• Hair and nails salons and barbers.
• Real estate locations (including in-office, vehicle, house demonstrations, if necessary).
• Veterinary care and pet grooming services.
• In-home domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.).
• Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation. 
• Agricultural work and housing.
• Food and produce processing (frozen processing, produce sorting and packing, etc.).
• Any indoor manufacturing and indoor construction and remodeling.

The following individuals may be excluded from this Directive:

• Any child aged two years or less;
• Any child aged 12 years or less unless parents and caregivers supervise the use of face coverings by children to avoid misuse;
• Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering;
• Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication, or an individual who is communicating with a person who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication;
• Any individual who has been advised by a medical professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to that individual for health related reasons;
• Any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.