photo by: Journal-World graphic

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., and the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

The City of Lawrence and Douglas County both announced Friday that they would begin requiring face coverings in their buildings regardless of vaccination status beginning on Monday.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — should wear masks in indoor spaces in regions of the country experiencing substantial COVID-19 transmission. A news release from the city states that throughout the pandemic, the city has been following the latest health and safety guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The release states that the new requirement, which applies to city employees and members of the public, was in alignment with health recommendations and local partners in an effort to help control the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

“Public cooperation is appreciated as we take this important safety measure,” the release states.

Douglas County also announced it would be following public health recommendations and requiring face coverings regardless of vaccination status in county buildings beginning Monday.