Montgomery County Seeks Public Input On Mask Requirements

ROCKVILLE, MD — Should business employees and customers be required to wear face coverings? That's the question the Montgomery Council is mulling over, but they're asking the public for input before they make a decision.

The CDC is recommending that everyone wear a cloth face covering while in a public setting to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but right now residents are not legally required to do so. The Montgomery Council Board of Health is considering legislation to change that. They plan to introduce and vote on the legislation on April 14, but before then they'd like to hear what the public thinks about it.

Under the currently proposed regulation, the change would come in two phases:

1. On April 16, essential businesses would be required to give employees cloth face coverings. Employees then have to wear them whenever they're interacting with customers or their own co-workers. Employees who work from home would be exempt.
2. Then April 23, all customers would also be required to wear face masks while visiting essential businesses.

The council says there are a few ways that residents can share their opinion on the regulation. They can send an email to County.Council@montgomerycountymd.gov, or they can use the hashtag #MoCoFaceCoverings on social media. Residents can also submit written or recorded testimony to their website here.

The council says all input will be recorded and they will review the comments they receive before making a decision during that April 14 meeting.