Face coverings are now required in public spaces in the city of Branson. The city’s board of aldermen voted four to one in favor of a masking ordinance during a special meeting on Tuesday.
The ordinance goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. this Friday, July 31, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 8.
The mandate requires people to wear face coverings in indoor and outdoor public spaces unless they’re engaged in certain activities or are under age 13; requires operators of public spaces to ensure that guests are complying; requires signage at all businesses; and carries a penalty of a $100 fine and potential revocation of business license and other permits.
There are exemptions for those with a health condition documented by a medical professional, who are hearing impaired and those who are communicating with a person who is hearing impaired.
Other exemptions include:
- While swimming
- While obtaining a service involving the head, face or nose
- While playing a sport, exercising or using exercise equipment
- While outdoors while maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet
- While outdoors who is closer than six feet to family members of people they reside with
- While performing on a fixed stage
- While engaging in public speaking while socially distancing
- Any public safety officer engaged in an emergency situation
- Any person during a wedding ceremony or while photographs of the wedding and reception are taken
- Any family member of a deceased person during a funeral, interment or memorial
Branson Police will work to educate any violators of the ordinance before pursuing further action, according to a news release. Just like any other City ordinance, violations of the face covering ordinance can be reported by calling 911, it said.
View the ordinance here.
