MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Morgantown City Council have unanimously approved Emergency Ordinance 2020-3 requiring resident to wear masks in public regardless of their ability to socially distance.
Interim police chief, Eric Powell wants the public to know that this is not just a law, it’s an education campaign.
“Educate people, give them a chance to follow the rules,” Powell said,”If that doesn’t work then proceed to the next step.”
Specifically, the order says residents 9-years-old and over within the City of Morgantown are required to wear an adequate face covering when in confined, indoor spaces, other than when in one’s residence or when actively engaged in the consumption of food and/or beverage, and when they are not able to adequately social distance from other individuals. Violation of this article will result in a fine of no less than $25 and no more than $500.
Officials are looking to businesses to help enforce the ordinance by asking people without masks to mask up or leave the area. If the patron will not comply police are asking the proprietor to notify police.
“When our officers arrive, we also give that person an opportunity to leave or obtain a mask and come back in,” Powell said,”If they continue to refuse, at that point we are authorized to issue citations.”
Powell says his officers will insist residents comply in order to keep the public at-large safe.
“If the person is argumentative and not wanting to comply with the officer’s lawful order to leave then it escalates into another issue which becomes disorderly conduct,” Powell said,”And that is actually something we can enforce and physically remove that person.”
Powell says residents should consider this as a community approach to stop the spread of COVID-19 so per-pandemic activities can resume.
“We don’t want to have to issue citations, that’s not our goal,”Powell said,”Our goal is to gain compliance, the best way is through explanation and education.”
Council members also agreed to a three-strike plan to handle businesses with three or more COVID-19 positive cases.
After the first three positive tests at a business they would be forced to close for deep cleaning and an inspection by health department officials. The second occurrence of three positive tests would require the business to close for 14 days, deep clean and submit to another health department inspection, on the third occurrence the business would be closed until the outbreak is slowed and health department officials determine it is safe to reopen.
“To curb the rapid spread of this public health threat within our community we have to all pull together,” said Morgantown Mayor Ron Dulaney, Jr. “This ordinance strengthens the local application of Governor Justice’s face covering order and reinforces the Monongalia County Health Department’s three outbreak ordinance which will become effective at the same time. By reducing opportunities for community spread and outbreaks, we’ll be able to better protect public health and keep our local businesses functioning. We urge everyone to have respect for one another and work with us get this turned around.”
Any fine would be imposed by Morgantown Municipal Court if a person is convicted of a violation.