Kenner requires mandatory masks to be worn in public

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Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn issues an Emergency Proclamation requiring everyone to wear a mask when entering a building or business. The mask requirement goes in effect today at noon. 

“The COVID cases in Kenner are by far the worst both in the total number of cases as well as the per capita rate for municipalities in Jefferson Parish,” Mayor Zahn said. “In fact, Kenner is only 200 cases behind all of unincorporated Metairie, which has double the population of our city. Requiring masks is the right thing to do.”

Mayor Zahn and the Kenner City Council also lauched a social media campaign called, “Mask Up Kenner” to help get the word out about the new mask requirement in Kenner.

MASK UP KENNER!https://t.co/dUqCViM44V

— City of Kenner (@CityofKenner) July 2, 2020

Related: Jefferson Parish businesses struggle as parish president mandates mask wearing

Related: Is mask wearing going to become mandatory across Louisiana?

Here are a few exemptions to the new mask requirement;

  • Children under 2 do not need to wear a mask.
  • Anyone with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that limits their ability to wear a mask.
  • People who are hearing impaired or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired.
  • Anyone who would face a work-related risk (see proclamation for additional information) by wearing a mask on the job.
  • Anyone obtaining a service involving the nose or face that would require the temporary removal of the mask.

KENNER MAYOR BEN ZAHN ISSUES MASK PROCLAMATION EFFECTIVE NOON TODAY (July 2) pic.twitter.com/BgJZONO39x

— City of Kenner (@CityofKenner) July 2, 2020

Related: Sheng: $500 fines for mask violations possible, not jail time

“Wearing a mask not only protects your health, but also protects those you come in contact with,” Mayor Zahn said.

The Proclamation says masks are not required when eating as long as social distancing is implemented. Masks must be worn to enter a gym but not required during a work-out. It also says anyone who witnesses a violation of the emergency mask proclamation in Kenner can contact the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s office at 1-800-256-5452. Officials with the Fire Marshal’s office will then determine whether to investigate the complaint and will contact the local Kenner Fire Department for that investigation.

On Wednesday, Jeffferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng announced a mandatory mask order for Jefferson Parish after the parish saw a recent spike in new COVID-19 cases.