Watch Live: City of Sarasota Commissioners are meeting to decide on a possible mask mandate

 
 
City of Sarasota
 
The City Commission on Monday approved an ordinance requiring that face coverings be worn in indoor and outdoor public locations and businesses in Sarasota in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
 
Face masks are not required within residences or places of lodging, or when proper physical or social distancing, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines , can be observed.
 
The face mask requirement begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, and will be in effect for 60 days.
 
Other exceptions include:
 
Children under the age of 18
 
Schools, daycares and non-City government agencies
 
People for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition
 
Those working in a business or profession who do not interact with others, who maintain physical or social distancing from others or where a face covering would prevent them from performing their duties
 
Those who are outdoors or exercising while maintaining physical distancing
 
Those who are eating or drinking
 
The requirement also doesn’t apply when a hearing-impaired person needs to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate.
 
The City’s enforcement efforts will focus on compliance and education. Violations of the mask requirement could result in a civil, non-criminal infraction with penalties up to a $500 fine. An email and phone line for concerns, questions and more information will be available soon.
 
Complimentary face masks will be available for pickup outside City Hall from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1.
 
The City has already distributed thousands of traditional paper masks and cloth masks for free to residents, visitors and local businesses.