Starting Wednesday, visitors to Story County buildings will be required to wear masks.Story County announced Tuesday that county building visitors over age two will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Exceptions will be made for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from wearing face coverings.“COVID-19 cases are rising in our community as a result of the Delta variant, which is more contagious than previous variants,” Story County officials said.Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends indoor mask use in areas with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission rates.Story County said its transmission rate is considered high.“The Delta variant has been shown to be much more infectious than the previous strains, and, although vaccinated individuals are much less likely to contract it, and less likely to become seriously ill or require hospitalization, they have a similar viral load as people who were not vaccinated, so can transmit the virus at the same rate,” Story County Supervisor Linda Murken said.The county said disposable face coverings will be provided at each of its buildings and that county business can be conducted online and by mail in addition to regular in-person business.
STORY COUNTY, Iowa —
Starting Wednesday, visitors to Story County buildings will be required to wear masks.
Story County announced Tuesday that county building visitors over age two will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
Exceptions will be made for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from wearing face coverings.
“COVID-19 cases are rising in our community as a result of the Delta variant, which is more contagious than previous variants,” Story County officials said.
Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends indoor mask use in areas with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission rates.
Story County said its transmission rate is considered high.
“The Delta variant has been shown to be much more infectious than the previous strains, and, although vaccinated individuals are much less likely to contract it, and less likely to become seriously ill or require hospitalization, they have a similar viral load as people who were not vaccinated, so can transmit the virus at the same rate,” Story County Supervisor Linda Murken said.
The county said disposable face coverings will be provided at each of its buildings and that county business can be conducted online and by mail in addition to regular in-person business.