Port Royal leaders will consider extending mask requirement. What you need to know
The town of Port Royal will consider extending its mask requirement to prevent coronavirus from spreading.
The Town Council will vote Wednesday evening on whether to extend a rule that people must wear masks when entering commercial buildings open to the public and that businesses require employees to wear masks when interacting with the public. There are exceptions for those who can’t wear masks because of age or health considerations, children younger than 8 and people exercising, singing or playing an instrument.
Town leaders could decide to extend the policy to coincide with a council meeting on Sept. 9 and avoid another specially called meeting or choose an arbitrary period such as another 30 days, Port Royal Mayor Joe DeVito said.
DeVito said Tuesday the COVID-19 numbers in Beaufort County are still concerning and that he expects the mandate to be extended.
“We need to see those numbers start to come down,” DeVito said. “We looked like we were on a downward turn, but the last three days haven’t looked as promising.”
Part of the consideration is to maintain consistency with the neighboring city of Beaufort, which kept its requirement in place through at least Sept. 15.
Town Council will meet virtually at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with the video broadcast live on the town Facebook page.
All of Beaufort County, including the municipalities and unincorporated areas, is under some form of mask requirement. Penalties vary, from no fine for a violation in Beaufort County to a misdemeanor charge and possible jail time on Hilton Head Island.
Local government officials have encouraged voluntary compliance over enforcement.
