OMAHA- Papillion is the latest city to enact a mask mandate. Their City Council passed the mandate with a 7-1 vote and will not expire until the amount of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in the state drops below 20% for 14 days straight. The last time the rates were that low was before Halloween weekend.

Thursday’s vote followed two public hearings on the mandate that drew more than 40 supporters and opponents. The measure states thatMasking is not required when people can maintain 6 feet of distance, for those seated at a bar or restaurant, or for those seeking government services, among other exceptions.

The other cities that have passed similar mandates are Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney, Grand Island, Fremont Beatrice, Norfolk and Columbus. Most of the cities that have adopted mask requirements did so after State Sen. Justin Wayne pointed to a state law that gives cities of all sizes the authority to make regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. Gov. Pete Ricketts has opposed a statewide mask mandate and had previously threatened to block the efforts of some communities.

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