Rock Hill city council passes new emergency mask mandate. Here’s what we know.
Rock Hill city council passed another city-wide emergency mask ordinance Monday.
In early July, the council passed a city-wide emergency ordinance requiring residents to wear face masks in food and retail establishments, including grocery stores and pharmacies. That mandate was set to expire Sept. 8, Rock Hill mayor John Gettys confirmed to The Herald.
Now, those who work, shop and live in Rock Hill will have to wear a mask in certain establishments until Oct. 23, 60 days from Monday. Like before, a violation will result in a civil infraction and a fine of up to $100.
A second reading of this rule will be held at the city council’s next meeting in September. At that meeting, the second reading will be to consider whether the emergency ordinance remains an emergency ordinance or proceeds as a traditional ordinance.
If the mask rule becomes a traditional ordinance, it will last indefinitely and will be repealed only upon a majority vote by the city council.
Monday’s resolution passed on a 5-2 vote, the same count it did in July.
York County reported 27 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and no deaths due to the virus on Monday. Statewide, there were 543 confirmed and 19 probable cases announced Monday, the 10th straight day South Carolina reported less than 1,000 new positive coronavirus cases.
The rate of positive tests remained high in the state, though, at 13.3%.
Rock Hill was the first municipality in York County to approve a mask rule. The city of York and Fort Mill also implemented mask mandates.
York County later took up the issue but did not pass a county-wide motion.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 2:36 PM.
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