GF order replaces statewide requirement in ND

North Dakota’s statewide mask mandate has been replaced by a Grand Forks Health Officer’s mask order that requires face coverings to be worn in indoor businesses and public settings where physical distancing is not possible.

Governor Burgum announced Friday that he would let the statewide mask requirement expire today (Monday). Burgum says masks do work and he encourages residents to continue to wear them in public. The governor adds North Dakota’s COVID-19 numbers are trending in the right direction unlike the rest of the country which is still in the thick of the pandemic. “Fatigue that sets in for some people in terms of compliance – perhaps this is a time when we can take a breather as we hope we don’t see a surge in February/March as some are predicting.”

The Grand Forks order carries no specific end date. The local dashboard places Grand Forks in the Moderate Risk or “yellow” category for the coronavirus.