Pinal County board encourages masks, but won’t require them

Residents in unincorporated Pinal County will be highly encouraged to wear face masks, but face coverings will not be mandated, according to an order passed by the Board of Supervisors at a special session held Wednesday.

“The health, safety, and welfare of our citizens are our primary concerns,” said Chairman Anthony Smith in a Pinal County tweet. “I encourage all residents and visitors to wear a face mask when in public. With this added precaution, businesses should remain open and the spread of COVID-19 will be contained.”

Effective Thursday, unincorporated Pinal County residents are encouraged to wear a mask if 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained in public, according to the order.

The vote, which passed unanimously, came following news of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb testing positive for COVID-19. Lamb also said he does not plan to wear a mask or enforce any orders to do so.

Vice Chairman Pete Rios voted in favor of the order, but said the order “doesn’t go far enough” and that he is siding “with the healthcare professionals who do believe mandatory face masks are the way to go.”

The order also encourages all Pinal County departments, elected officials, contractors and volunteers to require their employees, contractors, owners and volunteers to wear face masks while working and interacting with members of the public.

Residents are encouraged to wear masks when entering or leaving a food or drink establishment or whenever 6 feet of distance between people who are not in the same household cannot be maintained.

Face masks will not be required if it poses either a greater mental or physical health risk or a greater safety or security risk, according to the order, which also states that enforcement of the resolution will focus on education of best practices.

The board received more than 400 emails in favor of the order and 115 opposing at the meeting, which lasted several hours.

The order does not impact decisions made by cities and towns in Pinal County, said spokesperson James Daniels.