LANCASTER COUNTY- Lincoln, it’s time to dig out your masks.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Tuesday announced plans to reinstitute the local mask mandate due to rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, people 2 and older — regardless of vaccination status — will be required to wear masks in indoor spaces when 6 feet of separation can’t be maintained. The mandate will be in effect until Sept. 30, at which time officials will reevaluate whether it is needed.

Lincoln Public Schools said in a message to parents that it would institute a full mask mandate starting Wednesday. Previously, only students and staff in grades K-6 were required to wear masks.

The Health Department also raised its COVID-19 risk dial for the fifth straight week, from low-orange to mid-orange.

Lancaster County was the first city or county in Nebraska to have a mask mandate during the pandemic, instituting one in late July of last year, and it was in place longer than any other city or county, extending through May 20.

As of Tuesday, Lancaster County had recorded 18 COVID-19 deaths this month, more than in May, June and July combined.

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