Citing rising COVID-19 cases, Palm Beach County requires masks in public buildings
Citing a surge in new coronavirus cases, the Palm Beach County Commission unanimously voted to require people to wear masks in the county’s public buildings.
Other South Florida cities have mandated similar measures as Florida has seen a sharp rise of COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, with record numbers of new cases being set almost on a daily basis.
On Tuesday, the Palm Beach County Commission voted 7-0 to require all residents and visitors to wear facial coverings while in buildings where the public is allowed. The commission also said it is less likely that masks will be required in places where social distancing can be easily maintained, like on the beach or inside a gym.
Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner told the Sun Sentinel that the ordinance will require face coverings for public spaces indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. There will be exemptions for people exercising and medical exemptions, but people who violate the rules could be fined for the misdemeanor.
The Palm Beach measure comes after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced Monday that some members of the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida League of Cities will require anyone within city limits to wear masks in public, except for exercise. The mandates will apply in Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Aventura, Key Biscayne, North Miami Beach and Miami Shores.
Suarez also said code enforcement and police officers will launch a campaign to force the public and business owners to comply or face a misdemeanor charge.
The City of Homestead has been requiring the use of masks in places where social distancing isn’t possible since April. These places include grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles and vehicles for hire.
The City of Opa-locka created a #MaskUpOpalocka initiative to urge residents to get tested for COVID-19 and continue practicing safety measures to prevent spreading the virus.
On Saturday, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued a public health advisory recommending that everyone in Florida wear face masks in places where you can’t social distance. He also recommended social gatherings should be limited to 50 people.
On Tuesday, Florida reported 3,289 additional cases of COVID-19,bringing the state’s total to 103,506. There were also 64 new deaths announced, raising the statewide death toll to 3,237.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 7:45 PM.
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