Fort Mill will now require face coverings due to coronavirus. Here’s when, and where.
Fort Mill is the latest municipality to start a face covering requirement, which takes effect Wednesday.
In a release Monday evening, the town announced a new ordinance that requires face coverings when inside any food, retail or service establishments, or government offices, within town limits. The move impacts use of restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, commercial retail and service businesses like salons and barber shops.
The move follows similar measures by municipalities across the state in response to COVID-19 social distancing.
“While wearing a mask may not prevent the transference of this virus, all indications appear to support that wearing one does greatly reduce the opportunity to share the virus with others,” Mayor Guynn Savage said in the release. “Much like covering your mouth when you cough, wearing a mask in public places helps to minimize the chances for the virus to be shared between people.”
The rule considers a face covering to be a uniform piece of material that securely covers and person’s nose and mouth. Examples include medical or cloth masks, bandanas, scarfs or the like.
“We ask that the public also continues other means of ensuring their health and safety by washing hands, using hand sanitizer, social distancing and seeking medical advice if you experience the symptoms of COVID or are exposed to someone that has the virus,” Savage said.
The rule also applies for retail, restaurant and service store employees working in areas where they come in contact with the public or other employees.
The first violation of the new rule would bring a warning. Further violations could be between $25 and $100. Repeated violations could result in suspended or revoked occupancy permits or business licenses.
The decision comes the same day Tega Cay issued a proclamation strongly encouraging people to wear masks. Mayor David O’Neal issued the proclamation that customers inside enclosed areas like retail or food service businesses should wear masks except when eating or drinking, and that that all retail establishments are strongly urged to require staff to wear face coverings when in contact with other employees or the public.
Rock Hill also passed a new face covering rule Monday. According to state health department data, York County now has more than 1,500 confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in March.
