1634ORDINANCE NO. 1634 (#08-2020)
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, REGARDING THE USE OF
MASKS IN RELATION TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS, an outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has resulted in an ongoing global
pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2020, Executive Order 20-37 declared that the emergency
declared pursuant to Executive Order 20-03 and its amendments was terminated and that the
public health and disaster emergency and declaration of the State of Arkansas as a disaster area
resulting from the state-wide impact of COIVID-19 was declared anew and would be effective
for sixty (60) days unless renewed; and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 2020, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), released
guidance regarding the use of face masks/coverings by the general public which asserts that
ample evidence exists to support the efficacy of wearing face masks to prevent the transmission
of COVID-19 including a World Health Organization (WHO) funded study; and
WHEREAS, the afore -mentioned ADH guidance on masks recommends that the general
public should wear face coverings in ALL indoor environments where they are exposed to non -
household members and distancing of six (6) feet or more cannot be assured. This includes, but
is not limited to, workplaces, retail stores, businesses, places of worship, courtrooms,
jails/prisons, schools, healthcare facilities, and other people's homes; and
WHEREAS, the afore -mentioned ADH guidance recommends that the general public
should also wear face coverings in ALL outdoor settings where there is exposure to non -
household members, unless there exists ample space of six (6) feet or more to practice physical
distancing; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson supports and encourages the usages of
facial coverings in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has long recognized state and local control
over the spread of infectious diseases and gave broad leeway in responding to these threats in
Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905);
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage the use of
cloth face covering to curb the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, individuals infected with COVID-19 are often asymptomatic and may
transmit the virus; and
WHEREAS, the health of employees and patrons of reopened businesses is directly
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threatened by individuals who enter such establishments without a facial covering.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance shall automatically expire upon termination of the current
emergency.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF , 2020.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
BOB JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
SUSAN DAVITT, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
STEPHANIE FRIEDMAN, CITY ATTORNEY
July 15, 2020
Ordinance 1534 was pulled from the agenda by the sponsoring Council Members
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