The Allegan County Health Department is repealing the mask requirement for K-6 children, which was imposed in August. At 5 p.m., the county’s mask order is likely to be lifted. Thursday, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill removing funds from health-care regulations that had been in place since Oct. 1.

The county health department’s budget is expected to be cut by more than $1 million, according to officials. Individual school districts may still implement mask requirements. According to health professionals, there is evidence that masks help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.