Gov.  Chris Sununu announced has signed an emergency order instituting a statewide mask mandate in New Hampshire as 529 new cases were announced — the state’s highest total to date.

The mask mandate takes effect Friday and will remain in effect through Jan. 15.

“With rising cases, substantial statewide community transmission and an increase in hospitalizations – the data supports enacting a statewide mask mandate,” Sununu said. “Instituting this commonsense mask mandate today will allow us to keep our economy open and help ensure our health care system has the capacity and workforce it needs in the coming weeks. By wearing a mask, Granite Staters can keep our friends, family, neighbors, and critical workforce members and those they care for safe – without shutting down the economy.”

 View the full order here:

emergency-order-74.pdf