Face covering mandate passes unanimously in Martin County

Face covering  mandate passes unanimously in Martin County

Martin County (treasurecoast.com)- The Martin County Emergency Ordinance mandates persons wear face coverings in the following public places:

Indoor public places, businesses and establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons, while obtaining or providing any goods or services or otherwise visiting or working in any indoor public places, businesses or establishments.

Outdoor public places, businesses and establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons, while obtaining or providing any goods or services or otherwise visiting or working in any outdoor public places, businesses or establishments where social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines is not possible and/or not being practiced.

Restaurants and food service establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons in restaurants and food service establishments whether indoors or outdoors except when actively consuming food or beverages.

County and municipal government facilities – All persons accessing governmental buildings for the purposes of conducting public business, visitation, contracting and maintenance, delivery or any other activity requiring a presence in a governmental building shall wear face coverings at all times while in the building.  Governmental buildings shall mean any Martin County or municipal-owned and operated buildings, including, but not limited to, office buildings, fire rescue stations, service centers, recreational facilities and libraries.

The following applies for the required wearing of face coverings in Martin County:

Indoor Public Places, Businesses and Establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons, while obtaining or providing any goods or services or otherwise visiting or working in any indoor public places, businesses or establishments.

Outdoor Public Places, Businesses and Establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons, while obtaining or providing any goods or services or otherwise visiting or working in any outdoor public places, businesses or establishments where social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines is not possible and/or not being practiced.

Restaurants and Food Service Establishments – Face coverings must be worn by all persons in restaurants and food service establishments whether indoors or outdoors except when actively consuming food or beverages.

County and Municipal Governmental Facilities – All persons accessing governmental buildings for the purposes of conducting public business, visitation, contracting and maintenance, delivery or any other activity requiring a presence in a governmental building shall wear face coverings at all times while present in the building.  Governmental buildings shall mean any Martin County or municipal-owned and/or operated buildings, including, but not limited to, office buildings, fire rescue stations, service centers, recreational facilities and libraries.

Businesses and Establishments – Businesses and establishments include, but are not limited to, restaurants, bars, retail stores, salons, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, hotels, grocery stores, gyms, fitness centers, pharmacies, indoor recreational facilities, hospitals, medical offices, dental offices, movie theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, bowling alleys, playhouses, arcades, public transit and vehicles for hire.

Exemptions – Face coverings are not required for the following persons:

  • Children either under the age of six (6) or in the custody of a licensed childcare facility, including schools, summer camps and daycare centers
  • Persons prohibited from wearing face coverings by federal or state safety or health regulations
  • Public safety, fire or other life safety personnel that have personal protective equipment requirements governed by their agencies
  • Persons actively engaged in exercise and who are social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines
  • Persons receiving goods and services from a business or establishment for the shortest practical period of time during which the receipt of such goods or services necessarily precludes the wearing of a face covering such as, but not limited to, consuming food or beverage or receiving dental services, facial grooming or treatment
  • Persons who have a medical condition or disability that makes the wearing of a face covering unsafe

  • Persons assisting individuals who are hearing impaired or who rely on reading lips in order to communicate may temporarily remove face coverings
  • Persons in private rooms of a lodging establishment, such as a hotel, motel or vacation rental; however, face coverings must be worn in all indoor common areas
  • Persons engaged in outdoor work or recreation with appropriate social distancing pursuant to CDC guidelines in place and being practiced

Types of Face Coverings – A face covering includes any covering which snugly covers the nose and mouth, and which is secured in place. Persons who wear masks should review the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines regarding properly and safely applying, removing and cleaning masks. Medical and surgical masks, such as N95 masks or other similar medical surgical masks, should be reserved for health care personnel, police, firefighters, emergency management and other first responders engaged in life/safety activities.

Signage – All businesses and establishments including restaurants, food service and retail establishments shall conspicuously post signage (English and Spanish versions available below) for easy visibility at all entry points.

Enforcement – A violation of this ordinance is a noncriminal infraction and shall be enforced by county law enforcement agencies. A violation does not authorize the search or arrest of an individual. It is the intent of this ordinance to seek voluntary compliance and to educate and warn of the benefits of compliance and the dangers of noncompliance.

Prior to issuance of a citation, the individual will be asked to comply with the ordinance or explain how an exemption applies. It is up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer to determine whether the circumstances warrant the issuance of a written warning to the individual for non-compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of this ordinance presents a serious threat to public health, safety and welfare, and a citation may be issued for such a violation after the above inquiry and if the individual received a prior written warning. The penalty for a violation of this ordinance is: $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense and each subsequent offense.

Signage

For Restaurants:

For Businesses:

For Outdoor Public Places:

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  • Posted 4 years ago

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