SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Monday, Utah GOP Gov. Spencer Cox exempted the Utah State Capitol Building and other state facilities in Salt Lake County from a mask mandate as conservative lawmakers prepared to commence their meetings in the new year.

Salt Lake County Democrat Mayor Jenny Wilson says Cox doesn’t have the authority to create exemptions from the 30-day order issued because of the omicron variant.

Republican council members have said the severity and disruption of the omicron wave means this rule will stay in place.

Cox stood by the guidance emailed by his office, which says masks are encouraged but not required in most state facilities. He said local governments rules don’t cover state buildings.

The GOP-dominated Utah Legislature, which put new restrictions on the use of mask mandates last year, could potentially overturn Salt Lake County’s mask mandate after it begins its annual session Jan. 18 per reports.

County leaders have cited testing lines that miles long, cases increases among students and crews struggling to staff fire and police stations. Salt Lake County Council Chair Laurie Stringham, a Republican, said Sunday she would not call for a special session to consider overturning the order.

It requires N95 and KN95 or similar masks for a month in indoor spaces, including schools, marking the first mask mandate in many parts of the county since the school year started. Cloth masks are acceptable until a respirator can be obtained.

County health officials say education about the purpose of the order and supplying a mask to individuals in violation will be the primary method of enforcement.

There are exemptions in the order, and students don’t need a doctor’s note if they need exemptions for allowed reasons.

The order from the Salt Lake County Health Department came Friday, after days of record-setting case counts, and is in effect through Feb. 7.