ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.—Health officials in St. Joseph County said Monday that it is extending its current face mask requirement through September 7, 2020 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The current requirement for face mask usage expires July 4. The new order continues the requirement through early September.

The new public health order requiring the continued use of face masks when in enclosed public places in St. Joseph County will go into effect on July 4 and last through September 7, 2020.

Face masks should be worn over one's nose and mouth and are required for anyone entering an enclosed public space or enclosed place of business, unless that person has a medical issue that renders masks ill-advised, the order said.

Public Health order 2-2020 also requires that business establishments open to customers must make alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol readily accessible at the entrance and close to high-touch surfaces.

The health order does say that exceptions to the face mask requirement do exist and are not limited to anyone who has trouble breathing or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance. This includes people with respiratory conditions, severe anxiety, cerebral palsy, and children two years old or younger.

The St. Joseph County Unified Command, which is made up of officials from area health systems and the county health department, issued the new public health order on June 29.