Richland Co. Council passes emergency face mask ordinance

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Richland County Council has passed an emergency ordinance requiring residents to wear face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

County officials said the ordinance is based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends face coverings for most people ages 2 and up.

The ordinance states that anyone entering a commercial establishment in the county must wear a face mask or covering, which covers the mouth and nose. Employees of restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies in the county will be required to wear a face mask or covering at all times while having face-to-face interactions with customers.

However, this ordinance does not apply under the following circumstances:

• Anyone who is unable to safely wear a mask due to age, an underlying health condition, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance
• In personal vehicles
• When a person is alone in enclosed spaces
• During physical outdoor activity provided the person maintains six feet of physical distance from others at all times
• When a person is alone or with household family members
• When a person is eating, drinking, or smoking
• When wearing a face covering aggravates a health condition
• When wearing a face covering would prevent the receipt of personal services
• If the person is 10 years of age or younger

Anyone who fails to comply with the ordinance will be fined up to $25. An employee who fails to comply with the ordinance at work could be fined up to $100. Daily violations of the ordinances will be considered separate offenses.

Repeated violations of the ordinance by a person who owns, manages, operates, or otherwise controls a business may result in the suspension or revocation of the occupancy permit or business license issued to the business where repeated violations take place.

The ordinance passed unanimously during a special meeting on Thursday. It will go into effect on July 6 and will expire in 61 days.

Before Thursday’s meeting, the council asked for feedback from Richland County residents regarding the proposed ordinance. County officials said they received nearly 19,000 responses.

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