Norman City Council votes to require masks in public
Norman, Okla. — The Norman City Council has voted 8-1 on an ordinance that will require people to wear masks in most public places.
The council spent hours listening to public comment over a Zoom call.
Council members also heard from health experts on the importance of masks during a pandemic.
Face coverings will now be required inside most public businesses and places where social distancing is not possible.
Mayor Breea Clark told FOX 25 the new ordinance won't be immediately enforced. She said, "We know that people aren’t going to be prepared overnight and we hadn’t ordered them because we didn’t know if it was going to pass. So it won’t be an immediate enforcement. It’ll take about up to a week to get it geared up."
Masks won't be required for people who can't wear them, because of health conditions.
That will also apply to people who are interacting with someone who is hearing impaired.
Face coverings won't be required while people are exercising, running, or swimming.
Businesses will be required to post signs reminding people to wear a mask and can be fined for not having a sign. That fine is between $50-$500.
People who refuse to wear masks inside the business can be treated like they are trespassing and can be prosecuted.
"That’s when our law-enforcement gets involved. That’s even a ticket that’s actually signed by the business owner, not the police department," Mayor Clark said.
The city says it will try to educate people on the rules before going any further. An educational video is in the works between the city's communication director and the city manager.
Information on where masks will be required and who will be exempt can be found here.
