Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to repeal ordinances 1643-2020 and 1807-2020 requiring the wearing of face coverings in the City of Columbus in response to the spread of COVID-19 in light of new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Fully Vaccinated People, and subsequent incorporation of federal guidance into the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Second Amended Order for Social Distancing, Facial Coverings and Non-Congregating, issued on May, 17, 2021.
Title
To repeal Ordinances 1643-2020 and 1807-2020 pertaining to the wearing of face coverings in response to the spread of COVID-19; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, beginning in March 2020, the City of Columbus experienced an ongoing threat of an acutely hazardous disease, illness, or health condition; specifically, COVID-19, that was caused by the appearance of a novel infectious agent resulting in international, federal, state and local declarations of states of public health emergencies; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2020, after weighing the available information about the COVID-19 virus, consulting with Columbus Public Health, considering the guidance from Orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine, City Council concluded that the safety of the citizens of Columbus was best protected by implementing a face covering requirement and so passed Ordinance 1643-2020 mandating same; and
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health subsequently issued face covering mandates for Franklin County which were, in some respects, more expansive than the requirements of 1643-2020 which led City Council to enact Ordinance 1807-2020 in order to harmonize the City and state law provisions; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud, under direction from Governor DeWine, issued the Director’s Second Amended Order for Social Distancing, Facial Coverings and Non-Congregating on May 17, 2021 which states that individu...
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