Eau Claire County Government Center (Photo by Skye Marthaler | CC-BY-SA 4.0)

Whether homemade or medical-grade, face masks have become a common sight in recent weeks. Beginning next Monday, they will be more than common at the Eau Claire County Government Center: Masks will be mandatory.

In a press release Tuesday, the county said that effective Monday, June 1, all members of the public or staff who enter the Government Center – the complex on Oxford Avenue in Eau Claire that houses numerous county offices, including human services, health, the county clerk, the register of deeds, and county courts – will be required “to wear a face mask or other cloth covering.”

In a media release, the county said the measure was was taken to protect the community. As of Tuesday, the number of diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Eau Claire County had risen to 103, up from 75 a week earlier and 60 two weeks earlier.

Community members are encouraged to conduct business with the county via telephone, email, or other electronic means if possible. If in-person meetings are necessary, the county encourages residents to make appointments. While walk-in traffic will be allowed, members of the public may be asked to wait in the lobby or outdoors until a staff member is free to greet them, the press release said. Visits will be limited to the ground, first, and second floors of the Government Building, but the third floor will be closed to the public.

Visitors are also asked to bring their own masks. “At this time, Eau Claire County cannot guarantee mask availability to the public due to limited resources so visitors are asked to be prepared to provide their own,” the press release stated.

Here’s the full text of the announcement:

Eau Claire County Government Center Building Update

For Immediate Release May 26, 2020

(Eau Claire, Wis.) – Beginning on Monday, June 1, 2020, the Government Center will begin requiring any members of the public and staff entering the building to wear a face mask or other cloth covering while conducting business at the Government Center. The Government Center will continue to restrict free flowing traffic for the safety of the public and the employees. Community members are encouraged to make an appointment with the department they would like to conduct business with prior to arriving. Walk in traffic will be allowed, however entrance is subject to space availability in the department and members of the public may be asked to wait in the lobby or outdoors and a staff member will come to greet when they are able. Eau Claire County continues to keep the safety of the community as a top priority and appreciates compliance of the above measure. At this time, Eau Claire County cannot guarantee mask availability to the public due to limited resources so visitors are asked to be prepared to provide their own. All business will be limited to the ground, first and second floor and no members of the public will be permitted to the third floor of the Government Center. Members of the public are encouraged to continue conducting business via alternative methods such as online sources, telephone, and e-mail. A list of phone numbers is listed below and will be available on the doors of the building. A public phone is located outside of the Government Center for anyone needing to call a department. The Eau Claire County Highway Building and the Agriculture and Resource Center in Altoona will remain locked, but open to the public with appointments.