Nassau BOCC votes to end mask mandate effective noon today, September 24; City mandate remains in effect

[Note:  The mask requirement has not been lifted in the city of Fernandina Beach.]

At today’s special meeting, the Board voted 3-2 to end the mandatory mask mandate, effective at noon tomorrow. Health Director, Dr. Seidel, spoke at the meeting and credited several mitigation efforts to the recent low case counts including use of masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

Though the mandate has been lifted, residents are still strongly encouraged to wear masks when unable to socially distance. Further, businesses can still implement their own mask mandates should they choose. Please note that masks will still be required in all County facilities.

A Executive Order outlining the new guidelines will be issued tomorrow.

The Board will continue to meet weekly and hear updates from Dr. Seidel. Should cases begin to spike again, the Board could consider reinstating the mandate in the future.

In a separate email dated this morning -- September 24, 2020 -- Fernandina Beach City Attorney Tammi Back has confirmed that the mandatory face mask order remains in effect for the City of Fernandina Beach.  In an email to City Commissioners and media she wrote:

The City of Fernandina Beach currently has a mandatory face mask order in place effective through October 6, 2020. The City Commission is expected to consider an extension to the City’s mandatory mask order at its regular City Commission public meeting on October 6, 2020. I believe that the City Commission will unanimously extend the City’s mandatory mask order through November 6, 2020. The City Commission will base an extension of the mandatory mask order on the testimony of experts in public health, such as Dr. Ngo-Seidel, the Director for the Florida Department of Health Nassau County. In fact, Dr. Ngo-Seidel testified to the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County on September 23, 2020 that, “Our key message for today is to continue the mitigation measures, it is important we consider the mitigation measures working together like legs on a table, they all work together whether its wearing a mask or social distancing…and it’s important to sustain those measures to keep our community healthy.”  The City expects that Dr. Ngo-Seidel’s advice will not change by October 6, 2020.