Jacksonville city officials announced a mandatory face mask order for Duval County starting at 5 p.m. June 29 as COVID-19 cases continue to spike locally and statewide.
Duval County residents will be required to wear cloth or medical face coverings in public and indoor places or “in other situations where individuals cannot be socially distanced,” said city Director of Public Affairs Nikki Kimbleton.
Kimbleton and Mayor Lenny Curry’s Chief of Staff Jordan Elsbury said the decision was made the morning of June 29 after consulting with local hospital officials and health experts.
Elsbury said enforcement will rely mostly on personal responsibility.
“(Hospital officials) advised us on the importance of wearing masks now for months, which is why every bit of messaging, every single press conference, the mayor has reiterated that point,” Elsbury said. “Today, we had a conversation specifically about a mandate and that’s how we ended up at the policy position today.”