Visitors to the Florida Keys will need to bring along face masks or face a $500 civil fine.
In a Wednesday vote, the Monroe County Commission shifted from an earlier stance on face coverings, and now requires everyone including employees and customers to wear face coverings in any establishment.
The city of Key West already had this stricter ruling in place, but unincorporated parts of the Keys had relaxed such requirements, following the guidelines set forth by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide Phase 2 of his reopening plan that began on June 5.
The ordinance also allows other city governments in the Keys to opt out of the ordinance.
Now, though, facial coverings are mandatory, and will be until June 1, 2021, although the commission will revisit the restriction on a quarterly basis.
“Facial coverings over the nose and mouth must be worn in business establishments and other public settings where there is a roof overhead,” said county spokesperson Kristen Livengood in a press release.