Businesses in St. Joseph County can still be fined up to $250 dollars for failing to enforce mask-wearing among employees. The County Council voted to keep the enforcement measure in place until the health department’s mask order expires on May 27.
District C Councilman Richard Pfeil said he won't support extending the ordinance beyond that date. But he said he believes keeping it in place for the next five weeks will save at least one life.
“And if it were to save at least one life, I’m willing to do the inconvenience of a mask for that short period of time,” Pfeil said.
County Health Officer Dr. Bob Einterz has said that the county’s mask order won’t be renewed, revised or extended beyond May 27.
The measure passed 7-2 and will now go to the County Board of Commissioners for approval. The Commissioners can veto the extension, but the County Council can override that veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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