Gov. Doug Burgum Friday urged North Dakotans to remain vigilant against COVID-19 as the state’s case numbers continue a downward trend and the State Health Officer’s statewide mask requirement expires Monday, Jan. 18.
An executive order that limits capacity for bars, restaurants and event venues also will be modified, effective 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, moving capacity limits and other ND Smart Restart protocols to guidelines, or recommendations. The statewide risk level will remain at moderate, or yellow.
Burgum noted that cities and counties may continue to have mask requirements in place, and the state supports those locally enacted protocols.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum urged North Dakotans to remain vigilant against COVID-19 as the state’s case numbers continue a downward trend and the State Health Officer’s statewide mask requirement expires Monday, Jan. 18.
An executive order that limits capacity for bars, restaurants and event venues also will be modified, effective 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, moving capacity limits and other ND Smart Restart protocols to guidelines, or recommendations. The statewide risk level will remain at moderate, or yellow.
Burgum noted that cities and counties may continue to have mask requirements in place, and the state supports those locally enacted protocols. “Our case numbers and hospital capacity have improved dramatically in North Dakota over the past two months, and with three new tools we didn’t have last fall – vaccines, rapid tests and effective therapeutics – we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Burgum said. “However, this fight isn’t over, and we
North Dakota s statewide mask mandate will be allowed to expire as planned after the weekend, and coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses will be further eased, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Friday.
He cited a dramatic drop in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and test positivity rate over the past two months. He also noted the availability of vaccines, rapid tests and new therapeutic treatments, and said we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The mask mandate which carried a potential fine and jail time for noncompliance has been in place since Nov. 14. It will expire at 8 a.m. on Monday. Local governments and school districts are still free to enact mandates, and we still strongly support mask-wearing, Burgum said.