(South Bend) - Officials in next-door St. Joseph County aren’t playing wait-and-see with COVID-19 numbers.  Their local mask order there has been extended through December.

County Health Officer, Dr. Robert Einterz, made the announcement yesterday. He cited the uncertainty of a vaccine becoming available in the near future as a primary reason.  The previous order was set to expire on Tuesday.  The new order exempts children under 6 from wearing a mask in public.

Next week, the St. Joe County Council will consider an ordinance to enforce mask-wearing.  Businesses that do not comply could be fined $50-250 per day.