Schuylkill County employees and the public are still required to wear face masks despite an order from President Judge Jacqueline Russell Wednesday.

Russell wrote an administrative order lifting the masking requirement instituted by retired President Judge William Baldwin Aug. 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He had written the order that at the time applied to courtrooms, hallways and common areas of county facilities.

Russell said the “presiding judge’s authority in any specific proceeding - with respect to requiring masks or social distancing, if deemed appropriate under the circumstances - shall not be affected. This order shall not be interpreted to affect any authority the Schuylkill County Commissioners may possess with respect to county facilities and personnel.”

County Administrator Gary Bender said in a memo to county employees the order issued Wednesday “in no way, removes the mask requirements currently in place by the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners for employees and the public entering the courthouse.”

He said the board’s policy has always been consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines: “Masking is a critical health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.”

Human Resources Director Heidi Zula will “continue to monitor the CDC website and if the guidance changes, she will consult with the administration and make the necessary recommendations to the board,” Bender said.