Blair could face a mask mandate if the number of cases of COVID-19 do not decline, according to a press release issued Friday from Mayor Rich Hansen.
Hansen urged residents of Blair and Washington County to take extra precaution to help slow the spread of the virus.
"Our hospital and hospitals across the state are full and our healthcare workers are becoming exhausted," he said. "They need each one of us to do everything we can to slow down the spread of the virus."
"No one wants to go back to the restrictions placed on our citizens this past spring, and no one wants to have any new mandates," Hansen added. "We need our students learning in school, not using computers from home."
But if numbers continue to rise, Hansen said he will ask the Blair City Council to take action to require masks.
"It will all depend on how we together respond to the challenge," he said.
Hansen encouraged residents to limit the size of gatherings, wear masks in close proximity to other people, social distance, wash hands often, limit shopping trips, buy locally, support restaurants by ordering takeout and stay home if you are sick.
"With Thanksgiving coming up next week, we need to do everything we can, including limiting family gatherings to help slow down the spread of the virus so we can keep our students in school, healthcare workers safe and allow us to all enjoy the upcoming holiday season," he said.
