By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
Students in most Wyoming schools will be required to wear masks or face coverings for at least two more weeks.
The Wyoming Department of Health announced Tuesday that the state’s public health orders would be continued for two more weeks.
“While we continue to see stable case numbers and hospitalizations in most areas of the state, our overall progress seems to have plateaued,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH. “COVID-19 remains a threat for now, with cases growing in other states.”
Mask use and physical distancing requirements related to educational institutions are remaining in effect through the statewide orders.
Not every school in the state is beholden to these orders, though.
Pinedale schools are no longer requiring students, staff or board members to wear masks on any of their campuses. Torrington schools have also received a variance from the state.
The statewide orders also allow indoor events to be attended by more than 500 people as long as the number of attendees does not exceed 50% of venue capacity.
WDH recommended the continued use of face masks in indoor public places and when common-sense physical distancing cannot be maintained among people who don’t live in the same household.
Gov. Mark Gordon has previously stated he has no plans to reinstate the statewide mask order, which was rescinded in mid-March.
More than 175,000 individuals have received at least one vaccine dose so far in Wyoming when state and special federal counts are combined.
