Nassau County to mandate face masks; St. Augustine Beach ‘strongly encouraging’

Jacksonville, FL — This morning in Nassau County, you’ll be required to wear a face mask in public places where physical distancing is not possible. County commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to require everyone to wear a mask or face covering inside all indoor public places.

“If it’s an inconvenience to make it mandated - but it safes a life then it’s work it - one life gone is too many”, said Commissioner Danny Leeper.

There are exceptions if the mask will interfere with an activity, such as eating or visiting the dentist, or a disability that prevents you from wearing a mask. According to the order, law enforcement has the authority to enforce the new mandate. And if people don’t follow it, people could be charged with a second degree misdemeanor.

If you live in St. Augustine Beach or plan to visit, you will not be required to wear a mask inside businesses or when social distance isn’t possible. At an emergency meeting Thursday night, the City of St. Augustine Beach did not approve a resolution that would have made masks mandatory inside.

After hours of debate, city commissioners came up with a compromise and unanimously approved an amended resolution by changing the language from “mandatory” to “strongly encouraged.”

The resolution now strongly encourages the wearing of face coverings when indoors, not including residence or home, and are not able to social distance.

The City of St. Augustine Beach said businesses are encouraged to have visitors wear facemasks, but exceptions include the following:

• Persons under the age of five years.
• Persons observing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition.
• Persons working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other persons.
• Persons working in a business or profession who maintain social distancing from another person.
• 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. 

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