Today the Speaker's Office announces updates and clarifications to its COVID-19 guidance.

• The Speaker's Office takes Declaration No 221-04 as considered under the Health Emergency as defined under HEAA. Therefore, a Health Emergency remains in effect until April 27, 2022. As the House passed H Res 31, both H Res 7 and 27 remain in effect during a Health Emergency. We plan to keep the mask policy in effect for the remainder of the week.

• The Speaker plans to introduce legislation to 'sunset' H Res 27 and use the metrics created by the Speaker's Office in consulation with the CDC and IDOH in respect to when facial coverings should be worn in K-12 Schools. If nothing changes, we plan to have K-12 schools be mask optional the following week. However, under HEAA, the Health Advisor reserves the right to require masks regardless of the House's policy.

• Claifying that when an individual is reported as ill under the ORS of the Sick Reporting Act, they are required to wear a facial covering in public, regardless if they test negative for COVID-19.

• The COVID-19 Testing Requirement (H Res 7), shall remain in effect while a Health Emergency exists. There is no plan to 'sunset' it.