Hastings mask mandate to expire Tuesday after council vote

HASTINGS, Neb. -- The mask mandate in the city of Hastings is ending Tuesday night.

The Hastings City Council voted against extending their mask mandate Monday on a five to one vote. Five council members voted in favor of extending the mandate, but a unanimous vote was needed.

Several members of the community spoke at Monday’s public hearing, including representatives from the South Heartland District Health Department, who urged the council to vote in favor of the extension.

Shawn Hartmann, the lone council member who voted against the extension, said he agreed with the effectiveness of masks but heard from constituents who wanted the council to vote down the extension.

“In the last 36 hours, I was just bombarded with people who wanted it to sunset on Tuesday,” Hartmann said. “That was a pretty stark contrast to what I had been getting up until that point. When I ran for this position I said I would represent my ward and represent them fairly. The majority of them are ready for this to be gone.”

The policy will end at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Mask mandates in Grand Island and Kearney will also expire at that time.