COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some people in Columbia believe that an ordinance requiring people to wear face masks will protect them. Others don't believe they should be required to wear one.
Columbia City Council approved the measure in a 6-1 vote early Tuesday evening. The new rule goes into effect at 6 a.m. Friday and does not apply to areas outside of city limits.
Under the ordinance, every person over the age of ten would be required to wear a face covering within the boundaries of the City of Columbia in the following situations:
- Inside a building open to the public;
- Waiting to enter a building open to the public;
- Interacting with other people in outdoor spaces, including, but not limited to, curbside pickup, delivery, and service calls;
- When engaging in business activities in private spaces;
- Utilizing public or private transportation; or
- Walking in public where maintaining a distance of six (6) feet between other members of public at all times is not possible.
Face coverings would not be required in the following circumstances:
- In personal vehicles;
- When a person is alone in enclosed spaces; during outdoor physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of six (6) feet from other people at all times;
- When a person is alone or only with other household members;
- While drinking, eating or smoking;
- When wearing a face covering causes or aggravates a health condition.
The measure would have a misdemeanor penalty with a fine of no more than $25. Businesses that don't require employees to wear the mask could face a $100 fine. Each day of non-compliance for businesses is considered a new violation.
News 19 set up a camera on Main Street for about 20 minutes to see how many people were already wearing masks. In that amount of time, 40 out of 79 people were not wearing one.
Many people responded to the ordinance, saying they agree with city council's decision. Some say they want to make sure they can protect others around them and think about their neighbor's safety.
RELATED: Large crowds continue to form in South Carolina amid coronavirus, health officials urge caution
One person said, "I believe it will help out a lot, especially inside buildings, restaurants and stores."
Another person said, "I think it's a great idea for the City of Columbia. Let's just keep everybody safe. It's no big deal. I'd much rather walk down the street and keep my neighbor safe so I'm fully supportive of it."
Others in the community who didn't want to go on camera said they don't feel like they should be required to wear a mask, and think it would be better if people caught the virus and it was allowed to run its course.
Starting at 6 a.m. on Friday, the city ordinance requiring face masks will go into effect.