Dr. Lydia Mertz, Elkhart County Health Officer, issued a new public health order designed to more significantly mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The new order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. The new public order “is to mandate that all people in Elkhart County … wear a face covering … to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This order is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout Elkhart County and protect public health.”