Lancaster County mask mandate ends

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Just three days after the last Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID-19 update, Health Director Pat Lopez announced the ending of the mask mandate.

In an unexpected additional COVID-19 update, Lopez announced that the mask mandate will expire at midnight on Friday.

On Tuesday, Lopez alluded to the expiration of the mask mandate when she said she didn’t know why the mask mandate wouldn’t end on Feb. 25.

The decision comes as cases and hospitalizations continue to decline within the county.

Masks will still be required on public transportation and in hospitals or doctor offices.

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, the COVID-19 risk dial returned to the ‘elevated orange category’ after several weeks in the red.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 Risk Dial moves down into elevated orange

In the orange category, the risk of the virus spreading and the impact on the community is high.