HOLMES BEACH AND ANNA MARIA (WSNN) – Two Suncoast beach towns are saying add a mask to your ensemble amid the pandemic.
Florida’s case numbers hit a record high Friday, nearly nine-thousand cases. But with Manatee County Commissioners unable to decide whether to make mask wearing mandatory, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach commissioners took it upon themselves to put safety first and require people to wear face masks inside businesses.
“We’re so terrified, we’re go to have to revert back to a shutdown, and that’s really going to crush the economy, so I’m really hoping everyone understands the importance that we’ve got to turn these numbers around, we do not want to go backwards,” City of Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said.
Holmes Beach commissioners unanimously voted to mandate masks Thursday. Mayor Titsworth called it an under-the-roof- ordinance. When inside stores and restaurants, we must wear a mask.
“The beaches are all social distancing,” Mayor Titsworth said.
Mayor Titsworth says if your distanced in an office , it’s ok to remove your mask, but if patrons are coming and going, put them on.
The ordinance goes it into effect this weekend and remains in effect for 60 days. Local law enforcement is backing things up, armed with a 250-dollar fine on first offense, and 500-dollars for a second offense.
“We don’t really plan on a lot of fines, what we’re hearing is so many people are on board,” Mayor Titsworth said.
Businesses are encouraged refuse entry if patrons are facial Au Naturale. Some retailers are ready to comply.
“If it helps and it gets it over with faster, so we can return to normal life, then I’m all for it,” Feast Restaurant Co-owner and Chef, Christopher Dale, said.
“I think we need to do whatever it takes to keep everybody happy, safe, healthy, and also keep our local businesses with our doors open,” Small Town Creamery Co-owner, Dennis Miller, said. “So, if this is what it takes to get it done, lets do it.
A Bradenton couple visiting the city agree with the order.
“I think it’s excellent. I think its something that should have been implemented a long time ago in all location, but I’m glad Holmes Beach is doing it,” Mark Pombo said.
“You could be a carrier and have no symptoms whatsoever, so you know its just for the protection of others as well as yourself,” Connie Pombo said. “So, I have no problem wearing a mask and I think everyone should.”
And, we tried to talk to some people not wearing masks, but they had nothing to say.
Anna Maria’s mandate goes into effect at 8 am on Saturday. And Holmes Beach’s ordinance takes effect at 5 pm Sunday. And as, NBC’s Chuck Todd told his viewers Thursday, “Just wear your dang mask.”