Fairbury Board of Health passes mask mandate
It may have fewer than 4,000 residents, but Fairbury is joining the likes of the biggest cities in the state in enacting a mask mandate.
By News Channel Nebraska
FAIRBURY, NE — It may have fewer than 4,000 residents, but Fairbury is joining the likes of the biggest cities in the state in enacting a mask mandate.
With one member absent, the city’s health board voted 3-0 this morning to pass the ordinance. Board member Ed Friesen says the decision was one that needed to be made whether or not he or the public liked it.
“If I want to be a part of the community, I need to go ahead and do some things that maybe I don’t particularly care for," Friesen said. "Wearing a mask would be one of them, keeping a distance would be another.”
The ordinance went into effect immediately and says all people age five and older must wearing a face covering while indoors in a premises that is open to the general public unless maintaining six feet of separation is possible at all times.
Some exceptions include eating and drinking, working a job that prevents wearing a mask, giving a speech or certain medical conditions.
Businesses that are open to the public are also required to post a sign instructing people to wear a mask.
City Administrator Mary Renn says the mandate was enacted with the economy in mind.
“We would like to keep the businesses open here in Fairbury," Renn said. "As long as we can control or slow the spread, we might be able to do that. There’s no guarantee, but we’re at least making an effort.”
As far as enforcement, Renn says there’s not a lot they can do.
“I think it’s going to be difficult to enforce," Renn said. "I think we are going to rely on the business owners to make sure that they have their signage posted… and that they will let their customers know that they have to enter with a mask.”
Renn says the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office agreed to communicate the ordinance to businesses. After that, it’s up to the city’s lone code enforcement officer to check on compliance. If there’s a repeat offender, they could be subject to a fine.
Friesen hopes it doesn’t get to that point.
“I think that if a sign says (a mask) is required to come in, there’s been a mandate under Nebraska state statute, that we’ll get a little bit more compliance," Friesen said. "Will people be happy about it, not really, but they’re understanding more as time goes on.”
The mandate is in effect through December 15th. After that, the health board can let the mandate expire, tweak it or extend it.
The Sheriff's Office, if needed, will enforce the mask mandate by asking a patron to exit the business if they are not compliant.