LUSK (WNE) — State Health Officer Alexia Harrist, M.D., approved a variance on Dec. 23 exempting Niobrara County from recently implemented statewide public health orders.

The variance allows bars and restaurants to remain open during normal business hours and recommends face coverings rather than mandating them, according to County Health Officer Dr. Joleen Falkenburg, who said she requested the variance due to a low number of cases throughout the county. Students and staff at Niobrara County School District 1 are still required to wear face coverings in school buildings per statewide public school requirements.

“[The variance] doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect other’s needs or fears,” Falkenburg wrote in a post to the Niobrara County Hospital District Facebook page. “If you’re in tight spaces with others, consider masking.”

The Niobrara County commissioners issued a statement in response to the variance, after submitting a letter to Gov. Mark Gordon’s office regarding the statewide orders mandating bars close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and that all businesses require face coverings, as well as the difficulty of enforcing such measures.

They also spoke on the county’s low number of cases and the difficulty of reaching the testing threshold previously required to receive a variance, because of the small population.

“The commissioners are very appreciative of Gov. Gordon’s and Dr. Harrist’s willingness to consider Niobrara County’s unique situation, and their efforts to accommodate our citizens’ concerns,” the commissioners’ statement reads.