City of Rochester to mandate use of masks in indoor spaces beginning this week

The Rochester City Council voted overwhelmingly Monday to approve a citywide mandate on the use of face masks in indoor public spaces.

The resolution — passed 6-1 (Council President Randy Staver was the lone nay vote) — was brought forward by Mayor Kim Norton, who said the requirement was necessary to keep the economy open and to protect the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. Prior to the vote, a Mayo Clinic infectious disease expert spoke in favor of the policy.

“A large part of our economy in this community relies on a) community members feeling safe going into businesses, and b) the 3.1 million visitors a year who come to our community — many of whom have fragile health conditions — that also need to feel safe and secure coming to our community and going into our businesses,” said Norton.

Under the order, people will be required to cover their face while visiting indoor spaces open to the public, including retail stores, gyms and bars. Public transit users will also be required to wear face coverings.

There are some exceptions to the policy, such as eating while at a restaurant or when seated six feet away from another person at an entertainment venue. Individuals under two years old or those with a disability that prevents them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate.

While violation of the order will not be considered a criminal offense, businesses will be allowed to notify police of a trespassing violation if a non-compliant individual refuses to leave the premises.

The order takes effect Wednesday and will last until Sept. 4, unless one of a few things happen before then, such as the council deciding to re-evaluate the policy or the governor ending his peacetime state of emergency.

“I am hopeful that as a community that has a heritage in health care — and has an economy that is completely tethered to our ability to safely provide for people who are visiting and receiving health care — that we can all understand the necessity of having our public interactions be as safe as possible,” said Council Member Nick Campion. “And [the wearing of] a face mask is one element of a meaningful response to a pandemic.”

The full text of the mayor’s order can be found here.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.

Cover photo licensed via Canva