The Greenville City Council Monday evening unanimously approved an emergency ordinance that will require individuals to wear face masks in certain stores.
The ordinance requires anyone who goes to a grocery store or pharmacy in Greenville to wear a face mask while in the building.
It will also require all restaurants, retail stores, salons and barber shops, grocery stores, and pharmacies in the city to have their employees wear face masks while face to face with the public.
“One thing that really struck me were a number of conversations I’ve had with retail clerks, the folks that are checking your food out,” said Councilman John DeWorken. “They have told me so many times how frustrated and angry they are that they have to work… but yet so many people come in and don’t have masks. And I understand people talk about liberty and freedoms and not wanting to wear masks. But this is just a temporary provision, and for me it’s also an opportunity to protect those people who have to work when you grow grocery shopping.”
The council stressed that it’s not on the businesses to enforce this ordinance, but they must make the requirement known to the public.
Failure to follow the ordinance will result in a civil infraction and a fine of $25 to the individual. However, the fine of an employee of a business not complying with the ordinance is $100.
The ordinance will remain in effect for 60 days unless the City Council votes to end it early.
You can view the approved ordinance here.