Key West requires everyone to always wear masks in public
Wear the mask when in public. Period.
Key West city commissioners said that’s the new law on the island as they made a local mask ordinance tougher at a special meeting on Thursday morning.
The vote was 7-0.
The retooled law says everyone over age 6 must wear face coverings in public — whether or not they can social distance — and they must carry a mask with them when outside their homes.
“The operator and/or employee of a business establishment shall ensure that every individual in that establishment complies with this ordinance,” the amended ordinance states.
The commission had loosened its mask rules in September, relaxing the outside rule to only require masks if people can’t socially distance.
But city leaders said that didn’t work. And the island is gearing up for its holiday season, when tourists flock to the Southernmost City and snowbirds return.
The new ordinance carries civil and criminal penalties, including fines. But Gov. Ron
DeSantis, in an order last month, prohibited municipalities from collecting fines from people violating COVID-19 restrictions.
On Sept. 25, DeSantis signed a “right to work” executive order, ending state and some local COVID restrictions.
Key West, though, recently announced it will continue to issue citations and collect the fines whenever the governor’s order expires.
Key West’s mask rules are stricter than Monroe County’s. The county’sordinance requires masks to be worn outside when social distancing can’t be maintained.
But Key West is in a different situation because the city is filled with visitors, leaders have said.
And lately, Duval Street has been packed on weekends.
“Sometimes, I hear we’re doubling our population every weekend,” City Manager Greg Veliz said. “Obviously, we are not your typical community of 20-some thousand people.”
“What I see is chaos,” said Jim Young, who is code-compliance director for Key West and has tested positive for COVID-19. “It’s very chaotic, especially on weekends. I’ve been physically assaulted. One of my code officers was spat on. One was bit. A police officer was bit.”
Young spoke to the City Commission remotely on Tuesday. The governor’s order has made it difficult to enforce Key West’s mask rules, Young said.
“That cut our legs out from under us trying to protect our community,” he said.
The tougher mask law is sorely needed as COVID-19 cases rise in the Keys, Mayor Teri Johnston said.
“One ordinance is not going to cure COVID,” Johnston said Thursday. “This is a single step that we are taking today in order to protect our entire community and continue our economic recovery.”
Veliz said the city will add police officers to Duval Street to better enforce the mask ordinance.
Several exceptions still exist in the mask ordinance, however, including when people are seated at a restaurant or bar, in their cars, working out at a gym or exchanging vows at a wedding.
The city, where the economy relies on tourism, also needs to step up its messaging to visitors, said City Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover.
“It needs to be, ‘Wear your damn mask,’ ” Hoover said. “It needs to be front and center now.”
City Commissioner Greg
Davila admitted some residents won’t like the new ordinance.
“I’m going to have a hard time explaining to my constituents they need to wear a mask when walking their dog and no one else is around,” Davila said.
Joe Walsh, who owns several restaurants that have been cited by code compliance for mask violations, said the masks don’t stop infection.
“Masks provide an artificial feeling of safety for people,” Walsh said. “We have a, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell policy’ as far as masking.”
Mark Gambuzza, of the Uva Key West wine shop, said businesses should adhere to the mask ordinance so the city can keep attracting tourists who are questioning whether to visit.
“Better to make some money than no money,” Gambuzza said. “Let’s put the damn mask on.”
Some locals said the new ordinance is a matter of urgency.
“It is time to stop pussyfooting around this issue,” said resident Christine Russell, 65. “If you don’t get tough you’re going to have hell to pay later. You better get creative and you better do it now.”