( Cincinnati ) - A special session of Cincinnati City Council's Budget and Finance committee on Friday hammered out the details of a mask ordinance to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The ordinance, co-written by Jan Michelle Lemon-Kearney and Greg Landsman, goes into effect July 9. It makes facial coverings mandatory for all indoor public spaces. There are exceptions for young children and safety reasons.
In Friday's committee meeting, council members changed the language of the ordinance so it will be enforced by the Cincinnati Health Department, and not police. Councilman Landsman says the goal is to get people to wear a mask, not get a citation. The penalty for refusing to comply is a civil fine of $25, not a criminal penalty.