Citing rising COVID-19 cases in Jefferson Parish, Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng Wednesday is set so sign an emergency proclamation to make it mandatory that businesses require their customers wear masks while on the premises.
"It will be mandatory, if you go into a business, you’re a patron or a customer going indoor to a business, to wear a mask or a face covering,” Sheng announced this week.
Sheng says it will be the responsibility of businesses to enforce the rules, and turn away customers who don’t wear masks. Those who don't could face fines.
The violation is a misdemeanor, which means fines up to $500 or even six months in jail, but Sheng said she doesn't expect anyone to go to prison over it.
Sheng said it applies to retail, bars and restaurants, doctors’ offices, and common areas of office buildings.
“These are common sense measures that the medical community widely agrees on," said Sheng. “The best tool to reduce the transmission of this virus is for everyone to wear masks.”
The parish has set up a hotline to report non-compliance: (504) 736-6929. Complaints can also be lodged online at the COVID-19 compliance page of jeffparish.net.
