The Sarasota City Commission approved an ordinance on Monday June 29, 2020 requiring that face coverings must be worn in indoor and outdoor public locations and businesses in Sarasota in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Face masks are not required within residences or places of lodging, or when proper physical or social distancing, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, can be observed.

The face mask requirement begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, and will be in effect for 60 days. Other exceptions to the requirement to wear a face mask include:

• Children under the age of 18, schools, daycare centers, and non-City government agencies;

• People for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition;

• Those working in a business or profession who do not interact with others, who maintain physical or social distancing from others or where a face covering would prevent them from performing their duties;

• Those who are outdoors or exercising while maintaining physical distancing;

• Those who are eating or drinking; and,

• The requirement also does not apply when a hearing-impaired person needs to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate.

Violations of the face mask requirement could result in a civil non-criminal infraction with penalties up to a $500 fine.

According to the CDC, everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public. The Florida Department of Health also recently issued a public health advisory recommending that all individuals in Florida wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible.

Stay safe and let us know what questions you may have about keeping your employees safe in your work environment.