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Wyoming Mask Order, Other Restrictions Go Into Effect Wednesday

Mask and gloves.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon Monday announced a new statewide face mask order as hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 increase in the state. The order goes into effect Wednesday.

Sixteen Wyoming counties already require face coverings for indoor public places.

Other requirements announced by Gordon include 10 P.M. closing times for bars and restaurants; group gatherings in bars, restaurants and theaters limited to six people; gym workout classes limited to 10 people and a 10 person limit on gatherings where social distancing isn’t possible. These new restrictions also go into effect on Wednesday.

The governor said in his announcement that he was taking this new approach because of the record number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the rising death total in the state.

The Wyoming Department of Health announced 23 deaths from the coronavirus related illness Monday, bringing the statewide total to 280. The department reports November was the deadliest month for COVID-19 related deaths in the state, with 176.

Among Wyoming residents there have now been 32,196 lab confirmed cases and nearly 4,780 probable cases since the pandemic began.

Kay Erickson has been working in broadcasting in Billings for more than 20 years. She spent well over a decade as news assignment editor at KTVQ-TV before joining the staff at YPR. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a degree in broadcast journalism. Shortly after graduation she worked in Great Falls where she was one of the first female sports anchor and reporter in Montana.