LINCOLN, Neb. -- After a year, Lincoln's COVID-19 emergency declaration isn't going anywhere.

A motion put forth by Councilman Roy Christensen late last year would have effectively ended the emergency declaration, but it was shot down Monday on a 6-1 vote.

City leaders made it clear Monday, the emergency declaration is separate from any ongoing directed health measures or the mask mandate.

The power to create those comes from Nebraska State Statute, not from an emergency declaration.

Other city officials emphasized the importance of keeping the declaration in place.