Fishers To Require Masks In Public: Health Department

Rebecca Bream (Hughes)
·3 min read

FISHERS, IN — Fishers Health Department board members approved a mask mandate across the city, set to begin at 8 a.m. Friday. According to a news release from the Fishers Health Department, every person (outside of exceptions specified below) must properly wear a face-covering over their nose and mouth while indoors at places outside a private residence, or when outdoors in a situation where a distance of six feet from individuals outside their home can't be mandated.

Dr. Indy Lane signed the public health order, mandating those in Fishers to wear a cloth face-covering in all public indoor facilities, but not limited to:

  • Retail and grocery stores

  • Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues

  • Salons and personal care facilities

  • Gyms and fitness centers

  • Office and commercial buildings

  • Government buildings

According to the news release, public indoor locations refusing to enforce the mask mandate may experience enforcement actions by the Fishers Health Department.

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"The primary purpose of this order is intended to educate, encourage, and persuade individuals to wear face-coverings," the health department stated in the news release.

Individuals with concerns about compliance for the mask mandate should call the Fishers Health Department Coronavirus Hotline at 317-595-3211, submit the concern online at fishers.in.us/coronavirus or via the Fishers Connect smartphone app.

The Fishers Health Department also continues to recommend people practice social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, and masks.

The mask mandate does not apply to:

  • Children who are less than 5 years of age; however, children attending childcare who are 2 years of age or older are strongly recommended to wear a face-covering;

  • Individuals who are hearing or speaking impaired and for whom a mask or face covering is an obstacle to communication (it may be important for individuals assisting/working with people that are hearing impaired to wear a clear face shield rather than a mask);

  • Individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face-covering for a physical, medical, or health-related reasons;

  • Individuals who are alone in a room in a public building, such as in an office;

  • Individuals who are traveling in their (own) vehicles;

  • Individuals for whom wearing a face mask or covering would present a risk to their safety while at work, as determined by local, state, or federal workplace safety regulations;

  • Individuals who are engaged in a form of indoor exercise that is incompatible with wearing a mask or face covering, such as swimming;

  • Individuals who are seated at a restaurant, bar, or other establishment that serves food and/or drinks, while they are eating or drinking. However, individuals entering and exiting restaurants or bars, going to the restroom, or congregating in common areas of restaurants or bars must wear masks or face coverings (this also applies to eating in a public place, such as an individual’s place of employment provided social distancing is possible);

  • Individuals whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face-covering;

  • Individuals who are engaged in outdoor physical exercise, including running, jogging, walking, or bicycling, if in groups of less than 25;

  • Individuals acting in their official capacity as a public safety employee or emergency responder when wearing a face covering would interfere with or limit their ability to carry out their official duties or functions. These include police officers, firefighters, and other emergency medical personnel that support public safety functions;

  • Bona fide emergencies in which a person lacks the time or the means to put on a face-covering before entering an indoor or outdoor public space; and

  • Individuals who are outdoors and are maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others who are not part of their household.

The Public Health Order can be read in its entirety online.

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions and other information, visit the Fishers Health Department's COVID-19 information page at fishers.in.us/coronavirus.

This article originally appeared on the Fishers Patch