Winnecke Lifting Mask Mandate April 6th

Wevv dot com.

Our other big story tonight -- mayor lloyd winnecke making the call to follow governor holcomb's lead --- ditching the mask mandate - next week.

44news reporter marisa patwa is live in evansville- with a closer look at what happens next.

The mayor cited lower covid-19 cases in the community and more people getting vaccinated as the big reasons why they decided to follow the governor's lead.

"wear masks - get the vaccine -- but city government is not going to mandate it."

But masks will still be required in government buildings, medical facilities and on buses..

"some people are going to and some aren't."

Local health leaders -- from deaconess st.

Vincent and the vanderburgh county health department support the mayor's decision "just a baby step to getting back to normal -- that road trip has been very long -- it's been a year long.

And i know that many of you have really waited for this day."

But some residents are prepared to keep waiting "this decision was made way too soon.

All of the new variants popping up in brazil, in colorado, california -- encouraging people to take their masks off now -- it's just reckless."

As for private business owners -- it will be up to them to require patrons to mask up.

But if they run into issues the health department will have little ability to enforce it "we're here to help in anyway we can be as far as out authority to enforce something or to provide resources to a business -- we'll have to determine that going forward."

And if business owners say lose the masks -- they may also lose customers... "i wouldn't subject myself or my immuno- compromised mom to that situation.

It's just not safe -- it's not smart."

The mayor asks people to respect the decisions of others when it comes to masking up "i still think you'll see a lot of people where them.

And conversely, you'll still see people who still hate masks and never want to wear them -- and they won't."

The mayor says if there is a surge of covid-19 cases after the memorial