Face Coverings Now Mandatory In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota has issued a mandatory mask order requiring residents and visitors to wear face coverings in public. The order takes effect Wednesday.

Under the order, masks must be worn at all public spaces and places — both indoors and outdoors — where it is not possible to social distance.A similar mask order was imposed in other Florida cities, including Miami Beach and Miami.

The Sarasota City Commission approved its ordinance on Monday requiring face coverings to be worn in indoor and outdoor public locations and businesses in Sarasota to stem the rising tide of coronavirus cases.

"Face masks are not required within residences or places of lodging, or when proper physical or social distancing, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, can be observed," Sarasota officials said.

The face mask requirement takes effect 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and will be in effect for 60 days.

Dr. Glenn Morris, director of the emerging pathogen institute at the University of Florida, said in a video that masks help.

"It's critically important in closed spaces or crowds, inside stores, inside businesses, but outside as well," the doctor said. "There are times that social distancing is not possible, and wearing a mask outside further reduces the chances of virus transmission."

Morris said face shields alone are not as good as wearing a mask but better than nothing. The doctor said he was not certain mask orders alone will suffice.

"Masking alone is probably not going to be enough to turn around the current surge in cases that we're seeing, but it's a critical element that you can contribute to the effort to control what is proving to be a very deadly disease," the doctor said.

Unlike some other cities, the Sarasota order does not require people under the age of 18 to wear masks.

People who are "eating or drinking" do not have to wear a mask while they are doing so, or in the case of people who are outdoors or exercising while able to maintain physical distancing.

People at schools, day care facilities or non-city government agencies are also exempt as are "those working in a business or profession who do not interact with others, who maintain physical or social distancing from others or where a face covering would prevent them from performing their duties."

The order also exempts people from wearing masks when a hearing-impaired person needs to see the mouth of someone to communicate.

Violations of the mask requirement could result in penalties up to a $500 fine.

Complimentary face masks will be available outside Sarasota City Hall from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site is available at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St., every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until daily testing capacity is reached. Testing is open to everyone, regardless of residency or symptoms, and no appointments are necessary.

A Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about COVID-19 is available through the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County at 941-861-2883. Subject matter experts are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.