The Sconi

Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) announced that it will be ending its mask mandate at midnight on March 1.

According to a report by NBC 15, PHMDC has no plan to issue an emergency order. This is due to the dropping COVID-19 case numbers across the county, with health officials saying that the seven day rolling average peaked at 1,491 cases per day on Jan. 12 and is now at 340 cases per day. Officials said it is important to remember that while the mask mandate has ended, the pandemic is still happening. 

“Rather, it signals that we have made it through the omicron surge and are entering a new stage of the pandemic,” said PHMDC Director Janel Heinrich. “The most important thing you can do now is to stay up-to-date on our vaccines as they have proven to be highly effective in protecting you from becoming severely ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from COVID-19.”

The report said that PHMDC estimates that 58% of Dane County residents have completed their vaccinations and received a booster. The Department of Health Services tracks the initial series of shots and it found that about 75% of Dane County residents are vaccinated. This represents the highest total in the state.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway encourages people to wear masks if they feel more comfortable doing so. She stressed that it has proven to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

The mandate currently requires people to wear masks when in public places indoors unless everyone is vaccinated. There are still federal requirements for masks on public transportation, airplanes, buses, trains, taxis and ride-hailing services.