Pierce County issues mask mandate after Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns statewide order

One day after the conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate, Pierce County health officials announced Thursday it would require masking in indoor public spaces.

In a news release, Pierce County Public Health said the advisory order requires all people ages 5 and older to wear masks in indoor public spaces in which a non-household member is in the same room or enclosed space. The order is set to stay in effect through June 4 to align with the last day of school for most Pierce County school districts.

Public Health Director AZ Snyder said the mask order is necessary because COVID-19 vaccine supply is still limited and three-fourths of adults have not had the chance to get their shots yet.

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Snyder also pointed to the new, more infectious strains of COVID-19 cropping up and the lack of ICU beds available in the Twin Cities. Pierce County is just across the St. Croix River from Washington, Dakota and Goodhue counties.

"Doing the right thing now will allow us to finish out the school year, keep those waiting for vaccines safe, and ensure this summer is the best it can be,” Snyder said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down Evers’ mask mandate, ruling the Democratic governor had exceeded his authority by unilaterally extending the policy for months through multiple emergency orders.

The court ruled that any public health emergency issued by the governor could only last for 60 days and can’t be extended without the Legislature’s approval. State legislators had voted to repeal the mask mandate in February, only for Evers to reissue it an hour later.