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East Lansing City Council extends downtown mask mandate through end of February

January 21, 2021
<p>Residents wearing masks in downtown East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020.</p>

Residents wearing masks in downtown East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020.

Photo by Di'Amond Moore | The State News

East Lansing City Council extended the State of Emergency proclamation through Feb. 28 and the mask requirement downtown at Tuesday night’s meeting. This approval comes as Mayor Aaron Stephens said there were recent reports of large gatherings. 

“We are still in this pandemic, I want to make it very, very clear that our city will be enforcing the public health rules that are put in place,” Stephens said. “I want to make it clear that we are not out of this yet. We are close, but please do not drag us back.”

The decision also comes as thousands of Michigan State students return to campus. Ingham County’s case numbers have been on a downward trend since November.

31% of COVID-19 cases are from the 20-29 age group in Ingham County, which is the highest percentage compared to any other age group. Those aged 10-19 make up the second-highest percentage at 14%. East Lansing remains a COVID-19 hotspot in the county.

Cumulatively, there have been 13,725 cases in Ingham County and 229 deaths recorded.

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