GAMBIER — Gambier council passed an ordinance indefinitely extending the village’s mask mandate at Monday’s meeting, with one dissenting vote among council members.
The ordinance mandates “that facial coverings be worn by any person in indoor places of public accommodation and public settings within the Village of Gambier promotes healthy, safety, and efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, depending on community level, may be necessary to protect public health and safety and is needed for the continuity of social and commercial life while enabling the continuation of essential services, businesses and travel within the Village of Gambier.”
Community level is maintained by the Center for Disease Control with ratings set as high, medium or low, “with each rating corresponding to a Centers for Disease Control recommendation for testing, masking and other precautions, the ordinance reads.
The ordinance goes into effect when the community level reaches the ‘high’ rating and it could be extended indefinitely, insofar as, and during times when community level is high, the ordinance states.
Knox County is currently at ‘low’ level.
The ordinance does make exemptions to Wiggin Street Elementary School, persons under 5 years old, religious facilities, and more.
Anyone violating the ordinance could face a $25 fine, the ordinance states. Any Knox County sheriff’s deputy, the village Marshall, other law enforcement or government personnel may enforce the ordinance.
Council member Rakia Faber compared the ordinance to a tool in the village’s toolbox.
Council member Morgan Giles was the lone dissenting vote, showing his hesitation to pass such ordinance at a prior council meeting.
“I don’t think the majority of the community thinks it’s necessary,” Giles told Knox Pages after the meeting adjourned.
