Manatee County requires you to wear a mask to fight COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know

Manatee County’s decision on Monday to require residents to wear face masks to help the prevent the spread of COVID-19 is now in effect.

The county’s resolution, which was adopted by a 4-3 vote by the county commission Tuesday, requires an individual in a business to wear a mask unless social distancing of at least 6 feet can be maintained.

Those who are exempt from having to wear a mask are children under the age of 6, and anyone “who have trouble breathing due to a chronic preexisting condition or individuals with a documented or demonstrable medical condition,” according to the resolution’s language.

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County estimated that almost half of the county’s residents could be infected with COVID-19 and are either asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic., and are spreading the disease, according to Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the health officer for Manatee County.

“That’s why masks are vital,” Bencie said. “The evidence is clear that masks help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the more people that wear masks, the better.

“There are three W’s to ward off COVID-19: Wearing a mask, washing your hands and watching your distance. Of the three, the most important is wearing a mask.”

Does mask mandate cover all of Manatee County?

The resolution, covers unincorporated Manatee County, as well as the cities of Bradenton Beach and Palmetto, which have not adopted their own mask requirements.

The county’s resolution does not supersede other local jurisdictions that have already passed their own emergency orders, which include the cities of Bradenton, Holmes Beach Anna Maria and Longboat Key.

Holmes Beach and Anna Maria were the first to pass face mask mandates and like the county, the island cities require everyone to wear a mask inside businesses and public facilities where social distancing is not possible. Both cities also exempt people with certain medical conditions from wearing masks.

Face masks are not mandatory within the city of Bradenton, but businesses must display signage strongly encouraging patrons to wear masks.

Palmetto rejected a first attempt to pass an ordinance, but the city commission will take the issue back up again next month. Bradenton Beach officials have yet to discuss the issue.

Where must you wear a mask?

• Businesses: Any establishment where business is conducted, up to and including transportation such as Lyft, Uber, taxis, rental cars, mass transit and other passenger vehicles for hire. Business establishments include all county government buildings and places of worship.
• Lodging: Hotels, motels, “or group of buildings within a single complex of buildings which is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests.”

Who is exempt from wearing masks?

• Anyone who is social distancing of at least 6 feet apart from someone else.
• Children under the age of 6.
• People with documented medical conditions that would make the wearing of a mask harmful to their health.
• Restaurant and bar patrons can remove their masks while eating and drinking, but must wear a mask while walking around the business.
• Lodging customers do not have to wear a mask while inside their rooms, but must wear one while walking around the facilities.

How long will mask mandate be in effect?

All of the existing emergency orders, resolutions or ordinances are temporary and will come under review periodically depending on the current coronavirus pandemic situation, which has surged in recent weeks with no signs of slowing.

What are the fines for violating county’s mask order?

• First violation, $50.
• Second violation, $125.
• Third and subsequent violations, $250.

County commissioners included in the resolution a provision allowing for a first violation to come with a written warning.

Where can I get a mask?

You can try at one of these locations. Also, the county will add to its website at mymanatee.org locations where the public can get masks.