NH proposes mask mandate of motorcycle rally: ‘Sturgis was a real clear warning’

New Hampshire Gov. Chris SununuChris SununuNew Hampshire driver rules woman may hold ‘PB4WEGO’ voucher despite state recall MAY (R) has issued a mask mandate ahead of a major motorcycle rally later this month in the state.

New Hampshire is set to host the August 22-30 Laconia Motorcycle Rally, a smaller version of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. The event in New Hampshire normally attracts thousands of people to Granite State.

The order, which requires people to attend gatherings of 100 or more people to wear a mask, was introduced by Sununu after he watched videos of attendees gathering close to each other at the Sturgis rally over the weekend without protection.

“Sturgis was a really clear warning sign for us,” Sununu said during a Tuesday news conference. “I don’t think anyone saw the photos from Sturgis and said, ‘That looks safe.’ No, I think it just brought us a second level of awareness about all these different things. “

Those who attended the rally in South Dakota were encouraged, but not required, to wear face masks. The 10-day event, which began on Friday, is estimated to draw about 250,000 people to the state.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi NoemKristi Lynn NoemTrump denies White House asked about adding him to Mount Rushmore Thousands of cyclists go to South Dakota for approval ratings from drivers’ drivers as COVID-19 cases MORE mount (R) welcome the rally, citing the relatively low case of coronavirus to the state President TrumpDonald John TrumpDemocrat calls on White House to take back ambassador to Belarus nominated TikTok to collect data from mobile devices to track Android users: Peterson report wins Minnesota House primarily in crucial swing district MOREThe Fourth of July celebration on Mount Rushmore.

The mandate comes because the US is still struggling to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Cases have skyrocketed in a number of states in recent weeks, but still remain at high levels.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire has seen a steady decline in cases since its peak in May, according to data compiled by The New York Times.

The order issued by Sununu is not as strict as some issued by opposites in other states of New England. In Massachusetts, for example, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued a mask mandate on May 6 requiring people to wear face masks in all public spaces if social distance is not possible.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) issued a similar order in May requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces if they are unable to maintain social distance.