Several state governors announce orders requiring face masks in public

Officials from a number of states have issued orders requiring people to wear masks when out in public.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced a mandate that will require people to don facial coverings while out in public, starting on Thursday evening.

In addition to requiring masks indoors when not at a residence, people will also be required to wear coverings outside if they will not be able to stay six feet from people who are not members of their own household.

The order applies to ages 10-years-old and up. People can forego a mask while consuming food and beverages and while working out or engaging in sports. Individuals with medical issues or disabilities are included on a list of carve outs.

The new statewide order comes as the Buckeye State already had targeted some counties with mask requirements.

Other governors around the country issued similar orders.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday that he will sign an executive order mandating facial coverings in the Hoosier State. The order will begin on Monday, July 27, and will apply to those 8-years-old and up. The order will require face coverings outside when people cannot socially distance from others who are not from their household. It will also call for mask-wearing at "indoor public spaces." The Indiana mandate will also include exceptions.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday signed an order mandating face coverings at indoor public places and for workers who are outside and cannot engage in social distancing. The rule starts later this week, and contains a number of carve-outs.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday imposed a mask order that requires people to wear face coverings outside if they will come into contact with anyone, even briefly. "Persons leaving their residences shall wear a mask when they are likely to come into contact with another person, such as being within six feet of another person for more than a fleeting time," the order says.

According to Johns Hopkins University there have been more than 3.94 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S., and more than 142,000 deaths.