Staff Report

WARSAW — Though Indiana’s mask mandate officially moved to a recommendation as of Tuesday, April 6, county and other local entities still are free to impose their own mask rules if they wish.

InkFreeNews checked around to see what leaders are deciding.

County offices

Masks are still required by the county in courtrooms at the Kosciusko County Justice Building.

That’s “per the judges” as stated on a sign posted at the entrance to the building. Some county offices are recommending that people wear masks, but there’s no other actual requirement.

City and town offices

Of the cities and towns InkFreeNews was able to reach:

Warsaw is still requiring masks in city buildings.

Leesburg, Syracuse, Mentone and Pierceton are also requiring masks for now in their buildings, but that may change depending on what government leaders decide at their next meetings.

Winona Lake and Silver Lake are recommending masks in their town buildings.

Etna Green and Milford are not requiring masks at all in their buildings.

Libraries

Warsaw Community Public Library, North Webster Community Public Library, Bell Memorial Public Library and Syracuse Public Library are to continue requiring masks for patrons for now.

Pierceton & Washington Township Library is requiring masks for now, but that could change following the next library board meeting.

Milford Public Library will not require masks.

Still required by state

Holcomb said in his latest executive order that masks are still required in schools, state government buildings and at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

Elkhart County

As mandated in an executive order issued Monday, April 5, by its public health officer Dr. Bethany Wait, Elkhart County’s mask mandate continues at least until May 14.

That’s when the county is in yellow, red or orange status as classified under the state’s colored map for positivity rates. If the county is in blue, the mandate transitions to “a strong recommendation.”

As of the latest classification from Wednesday, March 31, the county was in yellow status.

St. Joseph County

St. Joseph County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Einterz also has extended that county’s mask mandate to May 27.

However in the executive order stating that, he notes the order “will not be renewed, revised or extended beyond” that date.