PROCLAMATION URGING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES

PROCLAMATION URGING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR
FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES

PROCLAMATION URGING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR
FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES



WHEREAS, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death by the SARS­CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus previously unidentified in humans and which can spread from person to person;

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of the State of South Carolina (the “State”) issued Executive Order 2020-08, declaring a State of Emergency based on a determination that the COVID-19 poses an actual or imminent public health emergency for the State;

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State has subsequently declared a continued State of Emergency in Executive Orders 2020-15 (March 28), 2020-23 (April 12), 2020-29 (April 27), 2020-35 (May 12), 2020-38 (May 27), and 2020-40 (June 11);

WHEREAS, the State is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of identified new COVID-19 cases, and as of June 25, 2020, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”) is reporting that there have been 27,842 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 683 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the State;

WHEREAS, if COVID–19 cases continue to increase in the State, the demand for medical, pharmaceutical, personal, and general cleaning supplies may overwhelm sources of supply; the private and public sector work force may be negatively impacted by absenteeism; and the demand for medical facilities may exceed locally available resources;

WHEREAS, health authorities, including the CDC, the Surgeon General of the United States, and DHEC have recommended the use of face coverings as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Town of Ridgeway has determined, based on the recommendations of public health experts and responsive to a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, that it would serve the public interest to strongly urge all individuals to wear face coverings while in public places and when social distancing cannot be achieved.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Mayor of the Town of Ridgeway, with full support of the Ridgeway Town Council, as follows:





Section 1. Use of Face Coverings.

1) all customers are strongly urged to wear Face Coverings while inside the enclosed area of any Retail Establishment or Foodservice Establishment except while eating or drinking;
2) all Retail Establishments are strongly urged to require staff to wear Face Coverings while working in areas open to the general public and areas in which interactions with other staff are likely in which social distancing of at least six feet cannot be observed; and
3) all Foodservice Establishments are strongly urged to require staff who interact with customers (including, without limitation, delivery personnel) to wear Face Coverings while working.

Section 2. Exemptions. Face Coverings shall not be required:

a) in outdoor or unenclosed areas appurtenant to Retail Establishments or Foodservice Establishments in which social distancing of at least six feet is possible and observed;
b) for people whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a Face Covering;
c) for those who cannot wear a Face Covering due to a medical or behavioral condition;
d) for children under twelve years old, provided that adults accompanying children age two through twelve shall use reasonable efforts to cause those children to wear Face Coverings while inside the enclosed area of any Retail Establishment or Foodservice Establishment;
e) for patrons of Foodservice Establishments while they are dining;
f) in private, individual offices;
g) when complying with directions of law enforcement officers;
h) in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a Face Covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming or recreating outdoors by yourself or with members of your household;
i) while exclusively with members of a family or the same household, and no person other than such family or household is within the same enclosed area.



______________________________________________
Heath Cookendorfer, Mayor
Town of Ridgeway, South Carolina

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Posted on August 1st, 2020.

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