DAYTON — The city said it has not issued any $85 civil citations for violations of the mandatory mask ordinance that went into effect Friday morning.
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The police department did receive 12 calls for possible violations of the ordinance and two warnings were issued. In one of those cases an officer provided a mask for the person to wear.
Last week, the Dayton City Commission unanimously passed the ordinance that requires the wearing of face masks or protective coverings in public spaces.
Under the ordinance, people within the city limits will be required to wear a mask or face covering anytime they are in the public space or where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Examples include grocery stores, library branches, on public transit, retail establishments, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The ordinance does not apply where wearing a mask would not be practical -- such as when you are eating and drinking, or swimming, or undergoing a medical procedure or where physical distance can be maintained.
Before the vote, Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper, Public Health -- Dayton & Montgomery County, gave the commissioners background to buttress support for the ordinance.
He said that since the beginning of Responsible Restart Ohio, the county health department has documented a significant increase in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“The phased lifting of restrictions has led to a surge in new cases,” Cooper said. “Obviously, when we look at all the data out there... because of the lifting of restrictions, that has sent a message to the community that the risk is lowered. Clearly, that is not the case.”
Mayor Nan Whaley said it arose out of concerns raised by the Ohio Department of Health and the county health department about the significant increase in positive cases in southwest Ohio and in Montgomery County specifically. The region’s business community, led by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, also called for an immediate changes to safety and prevention measures, the mayor said.
“I know that no one is excited about wearing a mask,” Whaley said. “I know that wearing a mask is uncomfortable. know, unfortunately, that wearing a mask has become a political flash point. But I also know masks save lives. It’s a small sacrifice.”
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