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Holcomb Not Reimposing Mask Mandate In State Government Buildings

Gov. Eric Holcomb did not reimpose any statewide COVID-19 restrictions as he extended Indiana's public health emergency for the 17th time.
Gov. Eric Holcomb did not reimpose any statewide COVID-19 restrictions as he extended Indiana's public health emergency for the 17th time.

Gov. Eric Holcomb isn’t reimposing a mask wearing mandate in state government buildings despite new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance

The CDC’s latest recommendation is for everyone – even vaccinated people – to wear a mask indoors in areas of significant or high spread of COVID-19. That covers almost all of Indiana.

Holcomb had previously required masks in state buildings throughout the pandemic, which included the state government complex in downtown Indianapolis and offices around Indiana, such as Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches. He only rescinded that requirement at the end of May.

With the delta variant surging, Indiana’s average number of cases are at their worst since April. The state’s positivity rate hasn’t been this high since January. And the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is at its highest since early May.

But in a statement, Holcomb’s office said only: “We continue to evaluate information, but have not changed guidance for state employees.”

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.