Palm Beach County Says Mask Mandate Continues In Several Places.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners has a message for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: we make the rules here, not you.
DeSantis, who used the magical powers bestowed upon him by adoring conservative media channels to officially proclaim an end to COVID-19 in the state, is finding out that he’s not quite as powerful as he’d like to believe. He ordered all local municipalities to end COVID rules and restrictions. But not all local municipalities are obeying his commandment.
Palm Beach County officials Tuesday evening announced that the mask mandate continues in all Palm Beach County government buildings.
This statement was issued Tuesday evening: “Until further notice, it is the County’s policy that individuals must wear a facial covering or mask and social distance from other individuals while indoors on County property. County property includes all County-owned and County-leased buildings where Palm Beach County’s offices, divisions, departments or Constitutional Offices conduct business.Law enforcement is authorized to escort and take appropriate action against individuals refusing to comply with this policy. “
Earlier Tuesday, the county commission received several updates concerning current successes and struggles in the COVID-19 battle. This is the official recap issued by PBC: “County Administrator Verdenia Baker provided an update on facial coverings in county facilities following the Governor’s order 21-102 issued May 2, 2021, to suspend all local government mandates in place due to COVID-19. In a continued effort to protect employees and the public, facial coverings or masks will continue to be required by employees and the public while conducting business in county buildings. The county will continue to follow all CDC guidelines and executive orders.”
Meantime, the Palm Beach County School Board announced that all students, staff, faculty, parents and any visitor to Palm Beach County School District property must continue to mask-up. Violators will be ordered from the building. Students refusing to wear masks will be assigned to distance learning.
Airports across Florida reminded travelers that Gov. DeSantis has no authority over what happens inside. The federal mask mandate continues in all airports and on all commercial airplanes. Airlines continue to remove passengers who refuse to comply. The Transportation Security Administration continues to patrol airports for those not complying with the mask mandate. Fines start at $250. The airport and airplane mask order was just extended until the end of September.
Stores, including Publix, Walmart, Target, CVS and others are continuing their mask requirements in Palm Beach County as well. Anyone refusing to comply can be fined or arrested for trespass if the non-compliance continues after an employee requests a visitor to wear a mask correctly.
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