Masks Will Be Mandatory In Lorain County Starting Friday

AVON, OH — Masks will be mandatory in public places in Lorain County starting Friday evening.

Residents and visitors will need to wear masks inside any public businesses or spaces, offices, on public transportation or ride-sharing services and outside (if distancing is impossible). The order does not apply to children 10 and under.

The order officially goes into effect at 6 p.m. on Friday. The order will remain in effect until Lorain County is downgraded to "orange," meaning there is less spread of COVID-19 locally.

Lorain County residents are also being asked to refrain from being in public whenever possible.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, over the past 14 days, Lorain County has confirmed more than 160 cases of COVID-19. More than 90 percent of the new COVID-19 cases do not come from congregate settings (meaning nursing homes or prisons).

Outbreak sites in Lorain County have recently included a child care center, workplaces and a faith-based organization, the Ohio Department of Health said.

The community is also seeing signs of increased demand on health care systems. Emergency room visits related to COVID-19 doubled from 3 per day on June 14 to 6 per day on June 29. Outpatient visits have also increased locally.

The full Lorain County profile from the Ohio Department of Health is available online.