The Lakeland city commissioners have approved a mandatory indoor mask ordinance that will take effect today, Thursday, July 2, at 5pm.
The ordinance states, “Every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of Lakeland shall wear a face covering consistent with CDC guidelines in any indoor location, other than their home or residence, when not maintaining social distancing from other persons, excluding family members or companions.”
The city will also enforce a $250 penalty for people who violate the mandate.
In addition, the ordinance lists a number of exceptions to the mandate:
- Persons under the age of eight years old
- Persons observing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines
- Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition
- Persons working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other persons
- Persons working in a business or profession who maintain social distancing from other persons
- Persons working in a business or profession where use of a face covering would prevent them from performing the duties of their business or profession
- Persons exercising, while maintaining social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines
- Persons eating or drinking
- Persons under the age of eighteen (18) years old while participating in youth sports
- Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel, as their protective equipment requirements will be governed by their respective agencies
- Persons communicating with someone who is hearing impaired where the wearing of a face covering would impede communication, provided that social distancing is observed to the greatest extent practicable
- Persons for whom the requirement to wear a face covering would cause a conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This ordinance expires on August 3, 2020, at 5pm.
View the official ordinance document, here.
For more updates from the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net/covid19