By Jim McCarthy, Mandy Miles and Sara Matthis
The wearing of masks when entering restaurants, retail stores and other establishments will be up to Keys business owners to decide — if those businesses are outside of Key West. In the Southernmost City, masks are still required inside any business except while a person is eating or drinking.
While a majority of Monroe County commissioners decided against an ordinance requiring facial coverings inside business establishments during a June 4 special meeting, they are urging owners and the public to take protective measures as the pandemic continues and visitors are welcomed back to the island chain.
In early April, Monroe County emergency directive 20-05 required all employees and customers of grocery stores, pharmacies and food distribution points to wear covering over the mouth and nose at all times. That directive was rescinded, so it’s no longer in effect.
Many shops and stores in the Keys took initiative when they reopened their doors by requiring people to wear masks upon entry. It’s only a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the state of Florida, which led to the proposed county ordinance outlining a requirement that masks be worn inside any business establishment. It was voted down 3-2 by Monroe County commissioners, and it will come back up for discussion at the regular meeting set for June 17. Commissioners opposed to the ordinance were David Rice, Michelle Coldiron and Craig Cates.
“I’m going to wear my mask because I understand that it’s what the CDC guidelines outline, but I think each individual business can establish that rule, and then their patrons will either come in because they feel safe to go inside that establishment because they’re wearing a mask. Or, if they don’t feel it’s necessary to wear a mask, they’ll go to those businesses that don’t require them to wear a mask,” said Coldiron.
Mayor Heather Carruthers and commissioner Sylvia Murphy voiced favor for the ordinance. “There are some counties that have no cases at all, so there’s no way that (Gov. Ron DeSantis) could make it a statewide requirement,” said Carruthers. “My concern is not so much with our locals. My concern is with people from someplace else. Us not having the teeth to say, look, please protect people who live here and work in this establishment…”
At the beginning of the shutdown, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office did see a spike in 9-1-1 calls regarding lack of masks, according to spokesperson Adam Linhardt, but those have tapered off. It is not appropriate to call 9-1-1 about masks.
“Please do not call 9-1-1 unless someone is in imminent danger,” he said.
The only time to involve law enforcement in Monroe County is if a customer isn’t wearing a mask required by the business owner and refuses to leave. At that point, the business owner can call the non-emergency number of the nearest substation.
“Then it becomes a trespassing issue and a criminal matter,” Linhardt said.
MUNICIPALITY MEASURES
The city of Key West has enacted tighter mask requirements than the governor and the rest of the Florida Keys, requiring masks to be worn indoors except by children younger than 2 and while people are eating or drinking. Key West officials recently backed down from requiring temperature checks of customers at Key West businesses. Temperature checks are still required for most Key West employees.
A sign at the entrance to the island reminds visitors “Masks required indoors,” and signs in several business windows state, “No shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service.”
The village of Islamorada is staying in step with county and state guidelines and doesn’t plan to implement more restrictive measures when it comes to masks. So far, the Florida Health Department has reported just two positive cases of COVID-19 in the village.
“It’s important for people to know that businesses can require masks in their establishments,” said Mary Swaney, public information officer. “People should still have a mask with them, and we’re recommending people wear masks.”
Vice Mayor Ken Davis he’ll be wearing his mask when he goes to restaurants and stores, and encourages those in the village to do the same.
“Whenever possible, go the safest route,” he said. “Just because the rules are relaxed doesn’t mean people should relax it. So far from what we’ve seen, we’re a population that understands the importance, and we don’t want to put any others at risk.”
The City of Marathon will require its employees and patrons to wear masks at city hall and maintain social distances. As for the general public, Marathon is following state guidelines.
“However, being geographically located below the three counties that are still under heavier restrictions and with the amount of visitors from them, it is even more important to be cautious here in the Keys,” said City Manager Chuck Lindsey, adding that business owners and residents must safeguard themselves. “Should we see an increase in cases, or violations to the current orders, we can adjust and consider issuing measured and appropriate city directives at that time”
The City of Marathon currently has logged seven cases and Key Colony Beach has one case.
CHAMBERS, BUSINESSES REACT
Business has no doubt picked up since visitors were welcomed back to the Keys on June 1. Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Executive Judy Hull said activity grew gradually throughout the opening week. Hotels have met, and in various cases, exceeded the recommended 50% capacity. On the morning of June 6, 18 people were waiting to enter the visitor’s center.
“It built slowly and just kept on rolling,” she said. “With our visitor’s center, you have to wear a mask to come in.”
Hull said she’s received thanks from a number of visitors stopping by. And with the decision up to businesses, she said that it’s going to be a mixed bag in mandating masks.
“Stores will find two different groups of people: ones who don’t want to wear the mask and ones who feel it’s safe,” she said. “If a customer is more comfortable with the safety precautions, then I believe businesses will do it because they want them in stores.”
The Marathon Chamber of Commerce board of directors did not endorse the county ordinance that would have required masks.
“Because of an already very compliant business community that desires what is best and safest for its staff and patrons, the chamber board did not feel it was necessary to impose additional regulations on businesses that would also be extremely cumbersome for city/county code staff to enforce,” said Marathon Chamber CEO Daniel Samess. “With vacation rentals and everything else ramping back up, we need our code staff dealing with illegal rentals and other important code issues. Should COVID-19 cases take a change for the worse, our local governments and state can make the adjustments as needed.”
The Key West Chamber of Commerce has not taken an official position on the city’s mask regulations, but chamber CEO Scott Atwell acknowledged the confusion and lingering questions about mask requirements in Key West and beyond.
“No question there has been confusion over these requirements and I think each of the candidates for elected office this fall should spell out how they are going to help bridge the gaps between the disconnect,” Atwell said. “While this pandemic is new, the problem is a recurring one for our citizens.”
At Keys All Area Roofing, office employees — seated a good distance apart — aren’t wearing masks unless a customer comes through the door in Marathon. The roofing crews wear masks when they interact with the customers, but not while they are working.
“Personally, I am wearing mine any time I am out,” said owner Dion Watson.
Chris Holland, owner of Ibis Bay Resort in Key West, said his business certainly will comply with the city’s requirements to keep staff and guests safe.
“The big issue is a lack of clarity,” Holland said. “The CDC, Mayo Clinic and many more tell us masks are our most effective tool to stop the spread of COVID-19. The president, who should be a model of proper behavior, refuses to wear a mask. Lack of clarity at the very top means confusion all the way down.”
