JACKSON, Wyo. — As of today, a countywide mask order is in effect for Teton County, including the Town of Jackson, after waiting for approval from the state for 20 days. With new health orders being introduced and repealed practically daily, it’s understandable if you feel a little confused right now.

County health order breakdown:

Teton District Public Health Order #20-6 (effective July 21, 2020)

  1. “Face Covering” as used in the order, means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face.
  2. Except as specifically exempted below, all members of the public must wear a face covering outside their home or other places they reside in the following situations:
    • When any person is inside, or in line to enter, any retail or commercial business.
    • When any person is obtaining services at or visiting healthcare operations, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics and walk-in health facilities, dentists, pharmacies, blood banks, behavioral health providers, and facilities providing veterinary and similar healthcare for animals.
    • When any person is waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit, or while they are riding in a taxi, private car service, shuttle, tour, or ride-sharing vehicle. The driver shall also wear a mask when passengers are present in the vehicle.
  3. All retail and commercial businesses must post notices stating that face coverings are required in a clearly visible location at or near the entrance of the business.
  4. All employees, owners, and volunteers of retail and commercial businesses shall wear face coverings at the business when interacting with the public, or working in a space visited by members of the public, such as by way of example, but not limited to: reception areas, grocery store aisles, service counters, public restrooms, cashier and checkout areas, waiting rooms, service areas, and other spaces used to interact with the public.
  5. A face covering is not required under the following circumstances:
    • When a person is in a personal office (a single room) where others outside of that person’s household are not present as long as the public does not regularly visit the room, but that individual must put on a face covering when being visited by a client/customer, and anywhere members of the public are regularly present.
    • The person is a minor. Minors are not required to wear a face covering, however, minors three years old and older and are encouraged to wear face coverings. Minors age two years and younger should not wear a face covering.
    • When a person is seated at a table of a restaurant or other foodservice venue, the person is separated by at least six feet from other patrons at other tables, and no more than six people in total are seated at the table. If more than six individuals are seated at the table, but all individuals are members of the same household, this exception applies. The person shall wear a mask while entering, exiting, or otherwise moving about the establishment.
    • When a person is inside or obtaining services at a location, engaged primarily in providing congregate care, residential health care, or congregate shelter, and the individual is engaged in activities not conducive to wearing a face covering, such as eating or drinking, or the individual is in an area of the facility that is not designed for community gathering, such as a sleeping area.
    • If a person has a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes, but is not limited to, persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. A person is not required to provide any documentation or explanation demonstrating that the person cannot wear a face covering for any medical condition, mental health condition, or disability.
    • Individuals who are hearing impaired, or communicating with an individual who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
    • Individuals for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the individual related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal workplace safety guidelines.
    • Individuals who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
    • Individuals who are purchasing a product or receiving a service that requires identification may briefly remove a face covering, as necessary so that the retailer or service provider can verify identity.
    • When actively exercising in a gym in accordance with State Health Orders, as amended.

The order states that any person who violates this order may be subject to criminal prosecution under Wyoming Statutes.

A list of town, county, and state health orders and recommendations can be found online.