Kentucky and Indiana Mask Mandates: What you need to know
Both Indiana and Kentucky are now enforcing a mask mandate in their respective states for protection and prevention of spreading COVID-19. We wanted to give you the facts of just exactly what that means and some reliable websites to check for additional information.
KENTUCKY
Who must wear a face covering?
The executive order requires everyone to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when they are in the following situations:
While inside, or waiting in line to enter, any: retail establishment; grocery store; pharmacy; hair salon/barbershop; nail salon/spa; tattoo parlor; child care facility; restaurant or bar (when not seated and consuming food or beverage); health care setting, or; any other indoor public space in which it is difficult to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from all individuals who are not members of that person’s household; July 15, 2020
While waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit, or while riding in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle, or driving any of the above while customers are present
While in outdoor public spaces in which the person cannot maintain a physical distance of six feet from all individuals who are not members of the person’s household and is not otherwise covered by previously issued guidance.
If you live in a facility that has shared kitchens, bathrooms, or other common spaces, wear a face covering when you leave your apartment or room.
People who are sick should wear a face covering while at home if they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others, and at all times whenever they leave home.
Who is exempt from wearing face coverings?
Children who are age 5 or younger o Small children are more likely to touch their face covering, so caretakers should wash children’s hands or apply hand sanitizer often.
Any person with disability, or a physical or mental impairment, that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering;
Any person who is hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication;
Any person engaged in work that a state or federal regulator has concluded would make wearing a face covering a risk to their health or safety;
Any person who is seated and actively consuming food or drink at a restaurant, bar, or other establishment that offers food or beverage service;
Any person who is obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering in order to perform the service;
Any person who is required to temporarily remove their face covering to confirm their identity or for security or screening purposes;
Any person who is giving a speech or broadcast to an audience and is able to maintain a safe distance of six feet from all individuals who are not members of the person’s household;
Any person who is in a swimming pool, lake, or other body of water;
Any person who is actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exists, and where the gym or indoor facility engages in required cleaning;
Any person who is actively participating in athletic practice, scrimmage, or competition that is permitted under separate Healthy at Work requirements or guidance available online at: https://healthyatwork.ky.gov, or;
Any person engaged in a lawful activity where federal or state law prohibits wearing of a face covering.
What happens if someone violates the executive order?
Any person who does not wear a face covering in one of the required areas (and is not subject to any of the exemptions) shall receive a warning for the first offense, a fine of fifty dollars ($50) for the second offense, seventy-five dollars ($75) for the third offense, and one hundred dollars ($100) for each subsequent offense. Additionally, if the person is violating this the executive order by attempting to enter a public-facing entity or mode of transportation while not wearing a face covering and not subject to any of the exemptions listed, they shall be denied access to that public-facing entity or mode of transportation. If a person is already on the premises and violates the executive order by removing a face covering, they shall be denied services and asked to leave the premises, and may be subject to other applicable civil and criminal penalties
How do I report a violation?
To report non-compliance with the face covering requirement, you may call (833)KYSAFER or your local health department. You may also choose not to enter an establishment that has practices you believe to be unsafe.
For additional FAQ’s pertaining to the KY Mask Mandate please check out the Team Kentucky FAQ sheet we have attached or visit https://govstatus.egov.com/kycovid19
Indiana
This directive went into effect July 27th, 2020 at 12:01 am and will continue unless extended until August 26, 2020.
During this time period, every individual within the state of Indiana shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when:
inside a business, public building, or other indoor place open to the public. This does not extend to private offices, workspace or meetings in which 6 feet of social distancing can be achieved and maintained between people not in the same household
in an outdoor public space wherever it is not feasible to maintain 6 feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household
using public transport or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride sharing vehicle
Definition:
Face coverings means a cloth which covers the nose and mouth and is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face
Face shields are masks that are typically made of clear plastic which cover both the nose and mouth
Exemptions:
For additional information on the IN Mask mandate visit www.coronavirus.in.gov or click the link below to view a copy of the official Executive order 20-37, #MaskUpHoosiers