Mandatory Mask Order Takes Effect 12:01 a.m. Thursday
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Palm Beach County has just released the official order mandating masks county-wide, starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
Highlights: plastic face shields are acceptable. Violators face fines up to $500. Jail time seems unlikely. We are providing text below as a service. We are linking to the Palm Beach County Government PDF at the end of this post.
Here it is:
Businesses and Establishments – Facial Coverings Required. Facial coverings must be worn by all persons, other than those specifically exempted in Section 4e. while obtaining any good or service or otherwise visiting or working in any business or establishment, including entering, exiting, and otherwise moving around within the establishment. Businesses or establishments of any type, including but not limited to, those permitted to operate under Executive Order of the Governor or any Palm Beach County EmergencyOrderaresubjecttothisprovision. Suchbusinessesand establishments include, but are not limited to, restaurants, retail establishments, hotels, grocery stores, gyms, pharmacies, indoor recreational facilities, and vehicles for hire.
Public Places – Facial Coverings Required. Facial coverings must be worn by all persons in public places where social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines is not possible or not being practiced. For purposes of this provision, public places shall include any outdoor areas that are open and regularly accessible, including, but not limited to, common areas within private communities accessible to more than one housing unit.
Exemptions -Facial coverings are not required for the following persons:
- Children under two (2) years of age and any child while under the custody of a licensed childcare facility, including daycare centers;
- Persons prohibited from wearing facial 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 respective agencies;
- Individuals while actively engaged in exercise and maintaining social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines;
- Persons receiving goods or 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 facial covering such as, but not limited to, consuming food or beverage or receiving a facial grooming or treatment;
- Persons who have a medical condition that makes the wearing of a facial covering unsafe such as, but not limited to, asthma, COPD, other conditions that reduce breathing or lung capacity;
- Persons for whom wearing a facial covering conflicts with their religious beliefs or practices; and
- Facial coverings may be removed temporarily while assisting persons who are hearing impaired or who rely on reading lips in order to communicate.
A facial covering includes any covering which snugly covers the nose and mouth, whether store bought or homemade, mask or clothing covering including but not limited to, a scarf, bandana, handkerchief, or other similar cloth covering and which is secured in place. Examples of compliant homemade facial coverings may be found on the CDC website:
Persons wearing face coverings should review the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines regarding safely wearing, removing, and cleaning facial coverings. Persons should not procure N95- rated masks for general use as those are critical supplies for health care workers, law enforcement, fire-rescue, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life and safety activities.
In addition, in lieu of a facial covering as defined in this section, persons may wear clear, plastic face shields, consisting of a piece of rigid, clear plastic attached to a headband that extends below the chin, whether store bought or homemade. For persons who are unable to safely utilize face coverings, businesses shall offer reasonable accommodation when required by the Americans with Disabilities Act which may include, but is not limited to, offering curbside service or any other reasonable accommodation.
Compliance: All businesses and establishments as provided for in Section 4 of this Order shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this Order and shall establish a process for verification of compliance upon customer entry into the establishment. A failure to establish and ensure such compliance may result in fines, penalties, and/or any other enforcement measures against the business as set forth in this order and as otherwise authorized by law.
