In an effort to slow down the spread of the virus, the City of Columbia enforced a mask mandate in all public places that will last for at least 30 days, report

The situation in South Carolina with the Covid-19 is pretty intense in the last couple of weeks since the number of new daily cases almost reaches the record high number the state recorded in the winter.

Everyone should be involved in the process and do whatever is in their power to slow down the spread of the virus in the state.

According to the latest information coming from Columbia, the Columbia City Council enforced a mask requirement in all public places within the city limits.

The decision was passed on the Wednesday emergency meeting in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus. City officials added that there will be fines for those who won’t wear masks and the ordinance will last for at least 30 days.

After 30 days have passed, the city council will meet again and will decide if the ordinance will be extended, a decision that will come depending on the current Covid-19 situation in the city.

“All persons entering a commercial establishment or establishment open to the public in the City must wear a face covering while inside the establishment,” the ordinance draft states.

When social distancing is impossible, face coverings must also be worn, such as on a busy sidewalk or popular outdoor area.

Commercial establishments that must require employees to wear mask include: all restaurants, bars, retail stores, barbershops, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

Those who decide not to follow the ordinance and don’t wear masks or face coverings are facing fines for more than $100.

However, there will be some exceptions when people are not required to wear masks. This includes drivers that are in their personal car, when a person is alone in an indoor place, during an outdoor sports activity where social distance is possible, while eating, drinking and smoking when a person is alone or only with family members.

Additionally, children under the age of 2 are also exempted and people who should not wear masks if that aggravates a health condition or prevents the receipt of personal services.

In accordance with the state’s proviso, staff of schools cannot enforce anyone to wear a mask. The responsibility of enforcing the mandate falls solely on the fire chief and fire marshall who will go into schools occasionally to enforce the mandate.