Marion County will keep its COVID-19 mask mandate and capacity restrictions even after the state lifts its orders.

Indiana's attorney generals office vigorously defended Gov. Eric Holcomb's emergency powers in response to a restaurant's lawsuit challenging his order that masks must be worn inside restaurants to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

A legislative committee hearing this week was disrupted when dozens of people who showed up to testify refused to wear masks -- which are required in the Statehouse.

The lawsuit challenges Gov. Eric Holcomb's executive order requiring masks to be worn in restaurants around Indiana. It is one of the first lawsuits to be filed over Holcomb's executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic.

The St. Joseph County Commissioners passed an ordinance Tuesday allowing the county health department to fine businesses violating the order between $50 and $250 for each day that the business remains out of compliance.

Indiana lawmakers won't be taking quick action to undercut public health orders that Gov. Eric Holcomb has issued over the past nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, top Republican legislative leaders said Tuesday.

A joint House-Senate committee voted Thursday against a proposal from a Democratic lawmaker for rules enforcing a face mask policy during the legislative session.

Fountain County Clerk Paula Copenhaver said she will "not be part of the government overreach" and contends social distancing and hand sanitizer are enough.

MaskCount lets users swipe or tap to indicate whether someone is wearing a mask. The location is marked, but no other identifying information is included.

Indiana will move to its final reopening phase on Saturday, with one big caveat -- the statewide mask-wearing order will remain in effect.