Explanation
Due to the ongoing health crisis and public health emergency and to reduce and prevent the spread of Covid-19, there exists a need to amend ordinance 1643-2020 mandating face coverings (masks) in the City of Columbus to conform to subsequently issued requirements of the Ohio Department of Health.
Fiscal Impact: No funding is required for this legislation
Title
To amend Ordinance 1643-2020 requiring the wearing of face coverings in the City of Columbus to conform to orders of the Ohio Department of Health in order to further reduce and prevent the spread of Covid-19; to allow for enforcement and assessment of a civil penalty by Columbus Public Health for a violation of said amended mandate; and to declare an emergency. (REPEALED BY ORD. 1352-2021; PASSED 6/7/2021)
Body
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person. The virus is spread between individuals who are in close contact with each other (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets. It may be possible that individuals can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes; and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a statewide Health Alert Network to provide local health departments with updated guidance for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor Mike DeWi...
Click here for full text