Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed signed an executive order on Wednesday that will require everyone in the city of Montgomery to wear masks when out in public, and it goes into effect on Friday at 5:00 in the afternoon.
“The facts speak far too loudly for us not to take action,” said Reed at a press conference announcing the order.
A city ordinance requiring mask usage failed to pass during a meeting of the Montgomery City Council on Tuesday, with the members deadlocked at 4-4.
During Reed’s press conference on Wednesday, Councilman Glen Pruitt, who voted “no” on Tuesday gave remarks. Pruitt said he regretted his decision to vote “no” and lent his support to the mayor’s new executive order.
The councilman told the public that had spent the night talking with his wife and weighing his respect for the doctors that had testified in favor of the ordinance.
Reed’s order specifies that a “face covering” is required; he mentioned bandanas and tied t-shirts as options for those not in possession of mask.
He also said that each member of the Montgomery City Council had been given a supply of masks, and the public was encouraged to contact their councilperson to pick one up for free.
Not complying with the face mask ordinance will incur a $25 fine.
Exemptions to the order have been granted for those outdoors, in the privacy of their homes and vehicles, and those working in an office seated more than six feet from one another.
The order does require that masks be worn at outdoor events where people gather in close proximity, such as protests or rallies.
Reed said the order is temporary until the Montgomery City Council can meet again to pass a full ordinance, which with Councilman Pruitt’s support, seems likely to succeed.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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