The Red River Parish Police Jury has relaxed somewhat the mask-up requirements for employees and visitors to the Courthouse.  The changes were approved at the jury’s meeting on Wednesday.

The requirement that everyone wear a mask while going through the security screening at the front door is still in place.  The jury eliminated the temperature checks.  The jury also left it up to each agency in the Courthouse to set the requirements for their respective spaces.

Discussion centered on what was and was not required.  Jury President Tray Murray said, “The Governor left it up to local government.”  He added, “State agencies can opt out of the mask mandate.”

Another point made during the discussion concerned employees wearing masks.  The complaint was lodged that agencies requiring visitors doing business with them to wear masks, yet their own employees did not wear them.

Jury Vice President Ben Taylor said, “In a world where everyone is guessing, even the people way up there are guessing, there is no cut and dry solution.  I feel to enter the Courthouse wear a mask.  If the agency you are going to see does not require it, then take it off.”

Jury Supervisor Jessie Davis said not every agency has the same set of rules.  He mentioned the parish Health Unit which is under the state department of health as well as other federal and state agencies with offices here. 

The final motion left it up to the heads of the offices in the Courthouse to require a mask in their offices.  And everyone would wear a mask when going through security.

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