City of St. Augustine Considers $500 Fine for Not Wearing COVID-19 Masks

Here's the text of the City resolution that would make it a code violation, with $500 fine, not to wear a mask for COVID-19 prevention, except for defined exceptions listed in section 3.

Typically wooden legal drafting, with un-numbered "Whereas" clauses.  Better legal writer would use gerunds, like United Nations resolutions.

From City of St. Augustine website:

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INDOOR USE OF FACE COVERINGS IN RESPONSE TO CONTINUED SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019.
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a Proclamation Declaring a National Emergency concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”); and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-51 declaring a Public Health Emergency in the State of Florida due to the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-52, declaring a State of Emergency for the State of Florida, extending to all sixty- seven (67) counties, including St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine due to COVID- 19, which Executive Order Number 20-52 was extended for an additional sixty (60)days on May 8, 2020, by Executive Order Number 20-114; and
WHEREAS, between March 17, 2020 and the date hereof, Governor Ron DeSantis issued several Executive Orders placing numerous restrictions on individuals and businesses in response to the state-wide threat of the spread of COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-112, as modified by Executive Order Number 20-120 on May 9, 2020, and Executive Order Number 20-123 on May 14, 2020, in response to the recommendations set forth in Phase 1 of the plan issued by the Task Force to Re-Open Florida, and adopted a phased approach to remove or decrease certain restrictions imposed pursuant to the Executive Order Number 20-91, Safer-At-Home Order; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-139, moving all counties in Florida, other than Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, into Phase 2 of the plan issued by the Task Force to Re-Open Florida, which Order supersedes Executive Order Number 20-91, the Safer at Home Order, and supersedes in part, and extends and modified other provisions of, Executive Order Number 20-112; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020 the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners issued Emergency Proclamation Number 2020-1 declaring a local state of emergency in response to a county-wide threat from COVID-19, which Proclamation has been extended numerous times, and most recently on June 23, 2020; and
WHEREAS, between March 12, 2020, and the date hereof, the City Manager has issued several Administrative Orders in response to the city-wide threat of the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, based on recent information and data from the Florida Department of Health, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine has increased significantly since additional re-openings were authorized under Phase 2 of the Governor’s Plan for Florida’s Recovery, which increase may result in additional deaths; and
WHEREAS, in response to the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, the Florida Medical Association, the state’s largest physician’s organization, encourages all local officials to adopt regulations requiring individuals to wear face coverings in public places; and
WHEREAS, based on advice from medical professionals the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine will increase exponentially if additional measures to stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 are not instituted; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has expressly found that: “COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usuallytravel around 6 feet (about two arms lengths)”; and
WHEREAS, the CDC therefore specifically recommends that as businesses and communities reopen, and people resume their daily activities, people should wear face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19, particularly “in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain”; and
Res 2020-22 (CA) Face Coverings Page 2 of 4

WHEREAS, consistent with Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order Number 20-51, as extended, modified or amended, Chapter 252.46, Florida Statutes, and Sec. 3.05 of the City Charter, the City Commission is authorized to make such orders and rules as are necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community during a state of emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission for the City of St. Augustine finds that it is in the best interest of public health, safety, and general welfare that the following be adopted consistent with the requirements of Section 166.021(4), Florida Statutes.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Definitions.
Face Covering shall mean a uniform piece of material that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands. Types of coverings include a face mask, homemade mask, or other covering, such as a scarf, bandana, handkerchief, or other similar cloth covering or shields.
Social Distancing shall mean keeping space between yourself and other people by staying at least six (6) feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
Companion shall mean a person by whom you are accompanied. Section 2. Face Coverings Required.

1. Every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of St. Augustine shall wear a face covering in any indoor location, other than their home or residence, when not maintaining social distancing from other person(s), excluding family members or companions.
2. Nothing herein shall require or allow a person to wear a face covering so as to conceal the identity of the wearer in violation of Chapter 876, Florida Statutes.
3. All businesses are encouraged to prohibit entry of any person who is not wearing a face covering with the exception of those below listed persons.

Section 3. Exceptions.Nothing herein shall require the wearing of face coverings by the following people:

1. Persons under the age of two years; and
2. Persons observing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines; and
3. Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition; and
4. Persons working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other persons; and
   Res 2020-22 (CA) Face Coverings Page 3 of 4

  

5. Persons working in a business or profession who maintain social distancing from another person; and
6. Persons working in a business or profession where use of a face covering would prevent them from performing the duties of the business or profession; and
7. Persons exercising, while maintaining social distancing; and
8. Persons eating or drinking; and
9. Public safety, fire and other life safety and health care personnel, as their personal protective equipment requirements will be governed by their respective agencies; and
10. The requirement shall not apply when a person who is hearing impaired needs to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate; and
11. The requirement does not apply to any outdoor activity permitted under City, County, or State order, but face coverings should be readily available when coming within six (6) feet of an individual not part of a person’s immediate family or cohabitating living unit.

Section 4. Enforcement.
Pursuant to Sec. 252.46, Florida Statutes, this Resolution shall have the full force and effect of law, and pursuant to Chapter 2, Article VI, of the Code of the City of St. Augustine, a violation of this Resolution shall be a non-criminal civil infraction, enforceable under Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 2, of the City Code, which carries a penalty of up to a $500.00 fine.
Section 5. Effective Date; Expiration Date.

1. This Resolution shall become effective on June 27, 2020, at 12:01 AM.
2. This Resolution shall remain in effect in the City of St. Augustine for so long as a state of emergency is in effect or unless otherwise modified or repealed.

ADOPTED in Emergency Session of the City Commission of the City of St. Augustine, Florida, this ____ day of _____________, 2020.

  

ATTEST
Darlene Galambos, City Clerk (SEAL)

Tracy Upchurch, Mayor-Commissioner