Staff Reports
All was quiet on the mask mandate front in Bartholomew County on Monday, the first day that residents were required to wear a face covering by state executive order.
At the Columbus Area Visitors Center, compliance has been “terrific” according to Lisa Westmark, tour program manager.
And at the Bartholomew County Public Library, there has been 100 percent compliance “with no complaints,” according to Jason Hatton, director.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
“We are prepared for it and will be forbidding access to the building (to the unmasked) unless they fall under the exemptions laid out by the governor. “Of course, we would allow (them) curbside services and our plethora of virtual services,” Hatton said.
Columbus police had not been sent to any service calls involving disputes over mask wearing, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
“We did get a couple calls from community residents — just questions about the mask executive order — and we went over it with them,” Harris said. “Some of the calls were just curiosity” and confirming that masks would be required on Monday.
Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies had not been sent out to any calls involving disturbances either, said Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane, Bartholomew County Sheriff Department.
Lane said the sheriff’s department had received a few calls seeking information about a possible mandate even before Gov. Eric Holcomb issued the mask order on Friday, questioning whether deputies would enforce it if Holcomb put it into effect.
Between Wednesday (when it was announced) and Friday, Holcomb removed his plans to make a mask mandate infraction a criminal offense, instead turning over enforcement by way of education to the state’s county health departments.
After that announcement, both law enforcement agencies indicated they would not be “the mask police” and would turn any complaints about lack of mask wearing to the Bartholomew County Health Department. Both police agencies said they would respond to service calls involving disturbances or fights about mask wearing, or if a business wanted to have someone “trespassed” off a property for not wearing a mask when they are asked to do so.
Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County Health Officer, said the health department had received “very few complaints” as of Monday afternoon. {span style=”color: #888888;”}{br clear=”all” /}{/span}
In an earlier interview, he said the health department would give warnings to local establishments that “have a pattern of complaints” involving failure to comply with the mask mandate and indicated the county health board might consider issuing fines.
“Enforcement has been a big discussion point,” Niedbalski said. “We know the health department will be taking most of the calls about mask wearing. The goal will be education, and contacting any establishments that have a pattern of complaints. Warnings will be given initially. We hope fines will not be necessary, but we will be discussing that possibility internally.”
The executive order requires most state residents age 8 years or older to wear a mask or face covering when in indoor public spaces, commercial entities and on public transportation, as well as when individuals can’t maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others. Holcomb’s mandate is currently in effect until Aug. 26.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Where to read the executive order” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
To read the mask mandate executive order, visit: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
