After St. Augustine became the first city in Northeast Florida to require face masks inside public buildings where social distancing isn’t possible, Jacksonville on Monday issued a city-covering mandate.
Here’s where other counties in Northeast Florida stand on face masks:
Clay County
The Clay County Board of County Commissioners, county manager and emergency management director said Monday they’re urging all Clay County residents and visitors to wear masks or cloth face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“While wearing cloth face masks is not mandatory in Clay County, we are strongly encouraging anyone in a public setting to take personal responsibility and wear one. This simple action will help protect ourselves, our families and our community,” said Clay County Director of Emergency Management John Ward. “While the virus may not negatively impact a young, healthy person, it could easily be spread to someone with a compromised immune system and have a very bad outcome for that person.”
On July 14, an ordinance in Green Cove Springs that would have made the indoor use of face coverings mandatory failed by a vote of 3-2. The ordinance needed a 4-1 vote to pass.
For more information on the proper use of cloth face coverings, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
St. Johns County
St. Johns County Commissioner Henry Dean proposed a mask requirement at a meeting on Tuesday, but it was not taken up for discussion. In St. Augustine, masks are required indoors and where social distancing is not possible.
Masks are now mandatory in St. Augustine Beach.
Nassau County
In an emergency meeting, Nassau County commissioners unanimously approving an executive order to require masks in all indoor public places. The vote was unanimous.
On Thursday, the City of Fernandina Beach signed an emergency order requiring masks indoors when social distancing is not possible.
Putnam County
Putnam County does not have a mask mandate in place and one has not been brought up for discussion. The next Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting is July 14. If discussion about a mask mandate does come up in the near future, it wouldn’t be discussed until July 14.
In Palatka, face masks are required in any indoor location, other than a home or residence, when social distancing is not possible. They required for anyone over age 2.
News4Jax also reached out to Baker County officials but had not heard back as of Monday evening.