Bradenton considers mask ordinance for businesses. It focuses on signs, not fines
Wearing a mask or face covering in Bradenton businesses may soon be required, but there won’t be a fine if you don’t comply.
Citing an intense spike in local COVID-19 cases, Bradenton City Council voted unanimously Wednesday morning to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance that requires public businesses to post signs on their front doors urging guests to wear a mask before entering.
“In my honest opinion, it’s become a political decision,” said Councilman Gene Gallo, who brought the subject before his fellow council members. “I’m sorry, but I don’t care about politics. It’s a safety issue. If we feel strongly enough about it, I want us to do something to encourage people to wear these masks out in the public.”
Gallo’s suggestion applies strictly to signage, with no fines involved for non-compliance.
“I’m not looking for fines,” he explained.
Some council members were hesitant to go along with Gallo’s suggestion, noting that privately owned businesses already have the right to deny service to a customer who isn’t wearing a mask.
Councilman Patrick Roff said the proposed ordinance could make all the difference for businesses that are barely hanging on. Because the issue has been politicized, those who don’t favor masks may choose to shop in a different city or store that doesn’t have those guidelines in place.
The proposed ordinance would apply only within Bradenton city limits. While the Board of County Commissioners declined to approve a mask ordinance, several Manatee County municipalities have approved mandatory mask ordinances, including the city of Anna Maria, the city of Holmes Beach and the town of Longboat Key.
“My fear is that this would be interpreted that this is political and it would have no teeth whatsoever. Some might like it, some might hate it,” Roff said. “Some might say that they’re of the other opinion on this and they might take their business elsewhere.”
“I would hate to put anyone under any more stress than they’re already under right now. Any business that can hold on right now in this town, God bless them. I wish them all the luck in the world, but this is a state issue,” he continued. “It would really require Tallahassee to make a decision on this.”
Gallo disagreed and said he felt it was up to local governments to do what’s best for their residents, expressing concern with how state and federal leaders have responded to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“We say the state, we say the governor, but let’s face it. The higher-ups in the political world are more concerned about the economy vs. the lives, and I think that’s horrible,” Gallo said.
“Our governor made a mistake by opening the state too early,” he added.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines still recommend wearing some sort of face covering that protects the nose and mouth when out in public, especially when social distancing isn’t possible. Gallo noted that restaurants would be exempt from the sign requirement in his proposed ordinance.
Other council members were supportive of the idea. Councilman Bill Sanders shared an anecdote about a local Wawa that had closed down one day because its workers demanded masks. The next day, the store reopened with a mask requirement.
“It’s amazing what a sign can do,” Sanders said. “Every business should have a sign.”
“I certainly think that if the numbers keep going up dramatically, as they have, that we might want to look at that,” said Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey.
City Attorney Scott Rudacille will do research on similar mask ordinances and provide a draft ordinance to City Council at a special meeting on July 15. According to Gallo’s plan, code enforcement officers would be responsible for providing signs to local businesses. However, no fines or penalties would be implemented for customers or businesses who do not comply.
