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A resolution requiring masks be worn in the Washington County Courthouse in downtown Bartlesville was approved with a 2-1 vote by the Washington County Commissioners on Monday.

The resolution is a result of the COVID-19 Emergency State of Disaster. The Commissioners received the resolution from the District Attorney’s Office.

Commissioner Mitch Antle read from the resolution. The resolution read that the Board of Washington County Commissioners deemed it necessary and advisable to respond to the Judge of the District Court's request for a temporary mask mandate in the Washington County Courthouse.

A letter received by the Washington County Commissioners from the District Attorney’s Office on Monday, Nov. 30th, was attached to the resolution, providing the legal opinion of the DA’s Office. That letter can be found and read here.

Commissioner Antle said the letter from the DA’s Office states that the mask mandate in the courthouse is a legal means of lowering the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. He said the letter further states that the mask mandate can be legally enforced by the Sheriff’s Office via refusal to allow the entry into the courthouse of any violator of the mandate.

The mask mandate for the courthouse is set to expire on Thursday, Dec. 31st.

Commissioner Antle voted no on the resolution.