Holcomb Not Reimposing Mask Mandate In State Government Buildings

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 He only rescinded that requirement at the end of May.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.