A new emergency proclamation issued by Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin on Monday will require face masks to be worn during all indoor public city meetings due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Based on advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cole County Health Department, the proclamation will require all residents 10 years or older to wear a face mask while attending a public city meeting, including meetings of the city council, council committees, city commissions, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
According to the proclamation, face masks can include any material that covers the nose, mouth and lower face, including factory-made or handmade masks, and those improvised from ordinary materials like a bandana. Disposable face masks will be available for use at meetings for residents who do not bring one.
Residents will not be required to wear face masks if they have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing one; when any participant in a conversation is deaf or hard of hearing and needs to read lips; or when requested by a law enforcement officer or medical provider.
The proclamation gives the presiding officer or chair of the meeting board, commission or committee the authority to ask a person to leave the meeting space if they will not wear a mask.
During Monday's Jefferson City Council meeting, Tergin said the proclamation allows the city to serve as an example of wearing protective face coverings.
"Although we have good luck with our voluntary compliance, I think having this proclamation also gives some clarity and allows us to be a good example when it comes to our open and public meetings," Tergin said.
As mayor, Tergin is allowed to issue emergency proclamations without the approval of the council. However, the council voted Monday to ratify the proclamation.
The council ratified the proclamation 9-1, with Ward 4 Councilman Ron Fitzwater voting against.
Fitzwater said he had concerns about the ordinance potentially stopping residents from participating in public meetings.
"I hate to do something that keeps people out of meetings," Fitzwater said. "I understand the severity of this disease, and the social distancing, I just have concerns about addressing it in this fashion."
Tergin said the city will continue to provide call-in or other remote options for meetings for those residents who do not want to attend the meetings in person or wear a mask.
Previously, when asked if they would support a city-wide mask ordinance, no council members or the mayor were in favor of the possibility at this time.