Residents of the city of Miami who refuse to comply with the measure of mandatory use of a mask in public places, issued this Monday, could face up to a $500 fine.
The proposal was made by the mayor Francis Suarez and was approved unanimously during a meeting this Thursday of all commissioners, who agreed that "the time for being complacent is over."
"Face coverings must be worn in public at all times and until further notice, with limited and specific exceptions," the measure states.
Likewise, an emergency order was approved that allows non-criminal civil infractions to be issued to both individuals and establishments that fail to comply with the measure.
Coronavirus cases are increasing rapidly in Florida in recent days, mainly in the counties of Miami-Dade and Broward.
The manager of the city of Miami, Arthur Noriega, said that the new measure approved this Thursday is a reliable example of the serious situation that the city is going through and that all its residents must do their part to reverse the growing curve of coronavirus infections. -
"We must all help stop the spread of COVID-19, and the civil infractions that were approved today illustrate the serious situation we find ourselves in," said Noriega.
Anyone who commits the infraction of not covering their face in public places will first receive a verbal warning and, on a second occasion, a fine of $50, which consecutively can reach up to $500.
Repeat violations may result in a summons to appear in court.
The Miami Police Department will ensure compliance with the measure, which applies to both residents and visitors.
The city will provide free masks to Miamians who don't have them.
The measure and its respective penalty have some exceptions:
- Children under two years old.
- People who work outdoors.
- People who are doing exercises, as long as they maintain a physical distance of more than two meters.
- People with medical problems or disabilities that prevent them from being able to cover their face.
- People with hearing abilities or who need to communicate with people with hearing disabilities.
- People who are eating or drinking.
- People who are receiving any service that involves the face.
By second day in a row, the state of Florida has recorded more than 5,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The authorities have closed more than five businesses since reopening for not complying with the required social distance or the use of masks.
Vice Governor Jeanette Núñez said that with cases rising on such a large scale it will not be possible to continue with the next phase of reopening.
The state of Florida has a total of more than 114,000 confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic and has recorded more than 3,000 deaths.
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