The Monroe County Health Officer will end the county's current health order on masks and social distancing starting Monday at 8 a.m.
The decision comes after the Centers For Disease Control announced Thursday that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask or socially distance, except where required by federal, state, and local regulation.
This action means the county’s gathering size limits will also be lifted.
Monroe County Health administrator Penny Caudill said unvaccinated people should continue to mask and socially distance to protect their health and the health of others. Caudill says many people still have not been vaccinated or are unable to do so.
“Let’s continue to protect them," Caudill siad. "You can do that by wearing mask, distancing, and then being vaccinated so you don’t have to wear that mask.”
READ MORE: City Of Bloomington Rescinds Mask Mandate, Gathering Restrictions
Caudill said after the current health order is lifted, masks still will be required on federal or state property, in vaccination clinics, at COVID testing sites, and in other government offices. Local businesses can set their own rules.
“We essentially will be following the governor’s executive order.”
Before today’s announcement, Monroe County’s health order was set to expire at the end of this month.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, about 3 5 percent of Monroe County’s total population is fully vaccinated.
