UPDATE:
The St. Joseph County Council voted 8-0 on Wednesdsay to rescind the county's mask fine ordinance. Councilman Richard Pfeil was absent from the meeting.
ORIGINAL POST (May 18):
It took months of negotiation between the health department and the St. Joseph County Council last year to establish fines for face mask violations. Now, those fines may end as early as Wednesday.
The ordinance allows the health department to fine businesses for failing to enforce masking among employees.
It first took effect back in November, and is currently set to expire on May 27, which did line up with the end of the county’s public health order.
However, following new CDC guidance released last week, County Health Officer Dr. Bob Einterz rescinded the public health order early. He recommended the County Council consider rolling back its ordinance as well.
County health officials say they haven’t fined any businesses under the ordinance, focusing instead on outreach and education efforts.
The council will hold a virtual meeting at noon on Wednesday, May 19, to discuss whether to roll back the fine ordinance.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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