The City of Dublin has issued a mandate requiring people to wear a face covering throughout the city beginning on Monday, July 6.
The order was issued by city manager Dana McDaniel with the support of Dublin City Council.
The city says the order is intended to educate but it does allow the city to subject violators to a third-degree misdemeanor.
Bexley, Columbus, Whitehall and Grandview Heights have passed similar rules for face coverings in central Ohio.
The city of Dublin said an order violation is a third-degree misdemeanor and is subject to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
However, the city said first-time violators would receive a warning and more violations could result in citations.
The Executive Order states:
1. All individuals within the City of Dublin whether patronizing business establishments, or employed by business establishments, shall be required to wear a face covering over the individual’s nose and mouth at all times while within said establishments and their associated appurtenances, including parking lots and sidewalks, subject to the exceptions listed in Section 4.
2. All individuals within City of Dublin Parks and other outdoor public spaces who are unable to maintain the CDC recommended social distancing guidelines of six feet between individuals in other parties shall be required to wear a face covering over the individual’s nose and mouth at all times, subject to the exceptions listed in Section 4.
3. All individuals while observing organized sporting events and games within City Parks and on school properties shall be required to wear a face covering over the individual’s nose and mouth at all times subject to the exceptions in Section 4.
4. Face coverings are not required for the following:
a. Individuals who cannot wear a face covering because of a medical condition, mental health condition or developmental disability, or who are unable to remove the face covering without assistance, and any individual who should not wear face coverings under the CDC guidance;
b. Individuals engaging in strenuous exercise activities, although such individuals should make every effort to maintain six feet of physical distancing between other individuals;
c. Individuals participating in sports activities so long as those activities are conducted in compliance with the Responsible RestartOhio guidelines issued by the Ohio Department of Health;
d. Children under the age of 6 years old;
e. Individuals actively eating or drinking; an individual not seated at his or her table or the bar is required to wear face coverings;
f. Individuals seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible;
g. Individuals giving a speech for a broadcast to an audience;
h. Individuals temporarily removing his or her face covering to secure government or medical services or for identification purposes;
i. Individuals whose sincere religious belief prevents them from wearing a face covering;
j. Individuals employed in positions where a face covering is either dangerous or not recommended by CDC guidelines;
k. Individuals in private, individual offices;
l. Individuals engaged in dental work or medical procedures;
m. Individuals receiving a facial treatment, shave, or other services on the part of the head which the face covering covers or by which the face covering is secured;
n. Individuals or events who are otherwise exempted by the Franklin County Board of Public Health or the Ohio Department of Health.
