For roughly seven months, mask wearing has been the rule in city buildings. But Mayor Linda Gorton says COVID cases are trending down at a rate that warrants a change.
"Our 7-day average of new cases is currently lower than when I first put the mask mandate in place last August. So we are ready to remove our masks."Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton
The reversal doesn't mean, however, that masks aren't an option.
"I do want employees and visitors to understand that if they're comfortable in masks, wear your mask," the mayor added.
Also the rollback may have a handful of exceptions, as some divisions facing unique challenges — such as jails and the senior center — could opt to keep existing mask mandates, in consultation with city government.
For now, masks remain mandatory in Fayette County schools, though Superintendent Demetrus Liggins says he expects to raise the discussion with the school board.