The City of Sarasota Eliminates Face Mask Mandate
A majority of Sarasota city commissioners have agreed to eliminate the city’s mandatory mask ordinance.
The mandate for face coverings in public, was put in place in July of 2020.
The majority of the Sarasota City Commission felt that masks were too “burdensome” for residents and businesses, and because the city could not punish those who did not comply, what was the point in keeping the mandate in place?
“This was one of those ordinances that was done as a public spectacle,” according to Vice Mayor Erik Arroyo. “People don’t really respect us as a commission for us trying to regulate every single little thing".
Since the mandatory mask ordinance was an "emergency order", the Sarasota city commission needed four Yes votes, to extend the Mask Rule.
Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody, Vice Mayor Erik Arroyo and Commissioner Kyle Battie all voted against extending the ordinance for another 60 days, when it expires. Sarasota Commissioners Liz Alpert and Jen Ahearn-Koch voted for the extension. Therefore the City Sarasota mandatory face mask order will expire on Thursday, February 25th.
Like with Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota will draft a resolution that would encourage residents to wear face coverings. That decision passed 5-0.
See More here from The City of Sarasota: https://www.sarasotafl.gov/government/maskfaqs