NORFOLK – A late November special council meeting in the City of Norfolk led to a mask mandate.
According to a release from the City of Norfolk, council approved Emergency Ordinance No. 5707 requiring individuals to wear facial coverings. The ordinance requires people age five or older to wear a face covering at any indoor premises open to the public. The ordinance went into effect on Thursday, November 26 at 2:30 p.m. and is scheduled through February 16, 2021.
Premises that are open to the general public are broadly defined to include entities that employ or engage workers, including private-sector entities, public-sector entities, nonprofit entities, regular commercial or business establishments, private clubs, religious centers, or buildings public transportation (including buses, taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, or vehicles used for business purposes) as well as any place which is generally open to the public, including educational institutions and daycare facilities. There are a number of other exceptions to the ordinance. These include individuals:
- seeking federal, state, or county services
- seated at a bar, restaurant, or their seat at an arena to eat or drink, or while immediately consuming food or beverages
- engaged in an occupation preventing the wearing of a face covering
- obtaining a service or purchasing goods or services that requires the temporary removal of the face covering
- asked to remove a face covering to verify an identity for lawful purposes
- providing a speech, lecture, or broadcast to an audience so long as six feet of distancing from other individuals is maintained
- that cannot otherwise wear a face covering because of a medical condition, a mental health condition, or a disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to wear a face covering.
Any individual or entity which maintains premises that are open to the general public, including but not limited to educational institutions, must post one or more signs that are visible to all persons — including workers, customers and visitors instructing them to wear face coverings. Any individual or person who is found to have violated any of the provisions of this Article shall be guilty of an infraction for each offense and shall be subjected to a fine of $25 for the initial offense. Each instance of violation may be considered to be a separate offense.
In the event there is a concern you would like to report, the Norfolk Police Division has set up a separate phone number to call. To report a COVID-19 related concern, call 402-844-2144 and talk to the staff or leave a message.
Norfolk, Beatrice, Ralston, York, La Vista, Columbus, Hastings, Kearney and Grand Island join Omaha and Lincoln with mask mandates.
A copy of the full ordinance along with other information and resources can be found on the city website: https://norfolkne.gov/government/departments/communications-office/covid19.