Milwaukee Cares Mask Ordinance to Go into Effect July 16

MILWAUKEE – On July 13th, 2020, the Milwaukee Common Council adopted an ordinance requiring face coverings in public spaces, indoors and outdoors. The ordinance goes into effect July 16th and will be enforced throughout the duration of the Moving Milwaukee Forward health and safety order. The ordinance will remain in effect until the order is lifted. The full order can be found at milwaukee.gov/MMFS.

Approved July 13th, the City of Milwaukee Health Department under resolution 200409 was directed to establish a mask distribution program for City residents in need upon request. The City of Milwaukee Health Department will coordinate the purchasing and distribution of free masks for the community.

The Health Department will collaborate with the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Public Library, Community Development Block Grant neighborhood service programs, and others for access. Additionally, the Milwaukee Health Department will develop a comprehensive community mask access plan by July 31, which will be vetted by the Board of Health.

Some of the key points of the resolution are:

Required Indoors and Outdoors:

•Anyone ages three and older must wear a face covering when leaving place of residence.

•Face coverings must be worn in an indoor public place and when around people that do not live in your household.

•When outdoors, individuals must wear face coverings whenever they are within 6 feet of another person, and around others that are not members of individual household.

•City employees and anyone on City facility premises are required to adhere to City face covering requirements.

Exceptions may include:

•Anyone under the age of three.

•Under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance, anyone with a medical condition, mental health condition, developmental disability, or for whom no other accommodation can be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

•Persons who have known upper-respiratory chronic conditions and silent disabilities.

•Persons in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear face coverings, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services, such as the receipt of dental services or medical treatments. The duration may vary according to the provider.

•Whenever federal, state, or local law otherwise prohibits or where it is necessary to evaluate or verify an individual’s identity.

•Persons whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face covering.

•Persons present in government facilities closed to the public, institutions of higher education, public and private K through 12 schools, and childcare or youth serving facilities that have a mitigation strategy approved by the Commissioner of Health. The only exception is childcare centers that have an approved safety plan by the health department.

Enforcement:

•The owner or operator of any building open to the public shall ensure all persons present in their building comply with the face covering requirements.

•The owner or operator of any building open to the public has the right to refuse entry or service to any person for failure to comply despite having an exemption.

•Any owner or operator of a building open to the public that permits a person to violate in their building open to the public shall upon conviction, pay a fine between $50 and not more than $500.

•The Commissioner of Health and City Attorney are authorized to pursue license revocation or a court order closing a building open to the public in accordance with state and local law for failing to require persons present to abide.

Please visit milwaukee.gov/MMFS and/or email the City of Milwaukee Health Department at ASKMHDCOVID19@milwaukee.gov for more information.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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