Hamilton County extends mask mandate

Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger is extending the mask mandate for another 45 days into late November.

At 6.

Hamilton county mayor jim coppinger held a news conference today to announce whether or not he would extend the mask mandate.

News 12's joeli poole explains his decision, in our top local story.

Hamilton county's current mask mandate was set to expire on october 8th.

Today, mayor jim coppinger held a press conference announcing that he would be extending the mask mandate once again.

Mayor jim coppinger "were going to put this directive into place for the next 45 days which will push it out until november the 22nd."

Data from the hamilton county health department shows the county's covid-19 cases have been on a steady decline since the mask mandate was first issued.

Doctor " i don't want to end up like other states in this country that have never really opened back up.

I don't want to go back to that.

These numbers are fantastic and if you look at them, it shows what happens when masks are worn."

Hamilton county officials and physicians continue to express the importance of wearing masks while business officials add that it helps their customers feel safe.

Thom benson "in june we were able to safely welcome guests back into the tennessee aquarium but we really didn't see attendance start ramping up until july when the mask mandate was put into place.

So it was very important for us to have that put into place."

Mayor andy berke released a statement saying he is grateful to mayor coppinger for extending the mask mandate.

Joeli poole "the bottom line is that officials agree that masks are working to decrease the spread of the coronavirus, so in hamilton county, we'll have to stay "masked up" a little longer.

In hamilton county, joeli poole ,news 12