Rock Hill’s public coronavirus mask mandate starts today. Will there be citations?
A mask requirement for people in public places in York County’s largest city starts Friday.
Yet Rock Hill police say they hope officers can get voluntary compliance from mask mandate violators and avoid giving citations.
Rock Hill City Council approved the mask mandate Monday, with supporters saying it is crucial to stopping the spread of Covid-19 this summer. South Carolina’s coronavirus infection rate has soared to among the highest in the world in the past week.
The ordinance requires a mask in food and retail establishments, including grocery stores and pharmacies. The ordinance states that includes “staff at retail and service establishments who must wear face coverings while working in areas open to the general public or in interactions with other staff where 6 feet of separation can’t be maintained.”
Staff at food service establishments, including delivery drivers, must wear face coverings when interacting with customers, according to the ordinance.
A citation for non-compliance will be a civil infraction and fine of $25 to $100.
The ordinance will last for 60 days.
Rock Hill Police Department Lt. Michael Chavis said the department is encouraging people to voluntarily comply with the requirement. The department hopes to avoid giving out any citations, Chavis said.
“We hope if we have a face-to-face encounter with someone out of compliance that they would comply,” Chavis said.
The department’s officers will not be seeking out violators but will respond to calls about violations, Chavis said.
The department issued a written statement which said officers do not want to issue citations.
“The Rock Hill Police Department encourages citizens to adhere to the Face-Covering Ordinance which addresses a Public Health Issue.
“It is not our goal to seek out those who are not wearing a Face Covering, and hope businesses and customers will work together to meet the mandates of the Ordinance.
“In the event we are called by a business for someone not following the Ordinance, Officers will attempt to handle the situation through education and voluntary compliance.
“The officer will respond, educate the violator on the Ordinance, and seek voluntary compliance. We do not want to issue any Civil Infractions, nor do we want to have a situation escalate over noncompliance with the Ordinance.”
York County, which surrounds the city, does not have a mask requirement. The city ordinance only affects places within the city limits. Police plan to tell people upon first interaction that there is an ordinance in place, in case the person or group did not know the new law was passed and is in effect Friday.
“Some people, with everything going on, may have missed it,” Chavis said. “Our officers will tell them what ordinance was passed by the city council.”
In areas such as the busy North Cherry Road business and retail and restaurant corridor, some businesses are in the city while others are in the county.
Katie Quinn, spokesperson for the City of Rock Hill, said only city police officers will enforce the ordinance. Code enforcement officers and other city employees will not be involved in enforcement, Quinn said.
Kevin Tolson, York County Sheriff, said his deputies will not enforce the Rock Hill city ordinance. That responsibility is with Rock Hill police, Tolson said.
The ordinance also has exemptions.
Under the ordinance, people do not have to wear masks in these situations:
- While exclusively with members of a family or people who live in the same household.
- For children under age 10, provided that adults accompanying children ages 2 through 9 use reasonable efforts to get the child to wear a face covering when inside any establishment.
- If outdoors or in outdoor areas of retail establishments.
- In food service establishments where 6 feet of separation is observed.
- If religious beliefs prevent wearing a face covering.
- For those with a medical or behavioral condition that prevents wearing a face covering.
- While eating or drinking at a food service establishment.
- In private, individual offices.
- In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering, such as in a gym while exercising, swimming, or obtaining services involving the head, face or scalp, such as dental work.
The Town of Fort Mill enacted a similar ordinance Monday that took effect Wednesday. The city of York and Town of Clover are expected to vote on similar measures at their council meetings July 13.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 11:28 AM.
