Board of Aldermen Vote to Mandate Face Coverings in Public Spaces
BRANSON, Mo – The Branson Board of Aldermen voted in favor of mandating face coverings in public spaces in a special public meeting held Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Branson City Hall to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the City of Branson. In a double read, the vote was in favor of the mandate 4-1 on the first read and 4-1 on the second read with Alderman Larry Milton voting no on both reads. Alderman Kevin McConnell was not present.
This amendment to Chapter 58 of the Branson Municipal Code will go into effect starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
The ordinance now has the following components:
- Requires individuals to wear face coverings while in indoor and outdoor public spaces unless they are engaged in certain activities or under the age of thirteen.
- Requires operators of public places to ensure guests use face coverings.
- Requires signage at all businesses outlining requirements on social distancing and face coverings.
- The penalty for violating this ordinance is a $100 fine and potential revocation of business license and other permits.
Under this ordinance, everyone over the age of 12 will be required to wear a face covering when in public spaces in the city limits of Branson. Exemptions are made for those with a health condition documented by a medical professional, who are hearing impaired and someone who is communicating with a person who is hearing impaired.
Other exemptions include:
- While swimming
- While obtaining a service involving the head, face or nose
- While playing a sport, exercising or using exercise equipment
- While outdoors while maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet
- While outdoors who is closer than six feet to family members of people they reside with
- While performing on a fixed stage
- While engaging in public speaking while socially distancing
- Any public safety officer engaged in an emergency situation
- Any person during a wedding ceremony or while photographs of the wedding and reception are taken
- Any family member of a deceased person during a funeral, interment or memorial
Education will be the first step in enforcement. Branson Police will work to educate any violators of the ordinance before pursuing further action. Just like any other City ordinance, violations of the face covering ordinance can be reported by calling 911.
The entire ordinance as amended and voted on can be found on the City’s “Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources and News” section of our website at www.bransonmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12751/Face-Covering-Ordinance-PDF.
For any other questions about this ordinance, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions, which can also be found on the City’s “Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources and News” page on our website at www.bransonmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12768/Face-Covering-FAQ-PDF.
The health and safety of residents, guests and community members remains a top priority for the City of Branson. The City will continue to work in coordination with our partner agencies, as well as the state and federal government, to monitor this evolving situation and to ensure our response actions are based on the latest facts.