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The mask mandate is a thing of the past at the Washington County Courthouse in downtown Bartlesville.

The Washington County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to rescind the mask mandate at the courthouse on Monday morning.

District Judge Linda Thomas was present for the meeting and she thanked the Commissioners for implementing the temporary mask mandate when it was needed. She said the mask mandate was necessary at the time but it's no longer necessary.

Based on what was seen in the court system throughout Oklahoma, Judge Thomas said they were able to keep Washington County's courts open and functioning thanks to the mask mandate that was in place. She said they were able to serve the public at a high level.

The Washington County Commissioners first approved of the mask mandate at the courthouse in December 2020 on a 2-1 vote. The mandate would be renewed in January on a 2-0 vote.

With the mask mandate now rescinded, Washington County Emergency Management Director Kary Cox wanted to explain to the public that there are still safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cox said the long-term protections that are in place include UV light treatment and air handling systems. He would also encourage the Commissioners to use the sanitation sprays that they've been using in the courthouse and other County-owned buildings as well.

The Washington County Commissioners agreed that there needed to be a continuance of these safety measures.