Why Lakewood Passed Its Own Mask Mandate

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood officials passed a municipal mask mandate this week. The order will help with enforcement of mask and social distancing rules.

“I’m happy that Lakewood’s administration, city council, businesses, and residents worked together to produce a resolution that will clarify our rules and protect the health of our citizens. We will now be able to enforce these important mandates locally and ensure that our businesses operate safely," Lakewood City Council President Dan O'Malley said.

Lakewood's legislation largely mirrors a similar mask mandate issued by Gov. Mike DeWine. Issuing a municipal mandate allows Lakewood officials to better enforce mask laws.

"Also, this resolution enables the city to better enforce these rules. Without this legislation, the enforcement mechanisms remain with other overwhelmed governmental entities, such as the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. Lakewood’s safety forces now have the ability to nuisance a business owner who is not abiding by the Governor’s Order and our legislation," Mayor Meghan George said.

The municipal mask mandate will remain in place until the statewide mask mandate is repealed.

The new resolution also requires Lakewood establishments offering onsite food, beer, wine or liquor to comply with social distancing rules. Customers must be seated, with tables limited to 10 people or fewer. Customers and staff must maintain six-foot social distancing at all times, including while waiting in line.

When the resolution clarifying social distancing requirements for businesses was introduced in July, there was criticism from the small business community, George said.

“One of the most contentious portions of the initial version of the legislation was a proposed occupancy reduction. We listened to our small business community and I sent a substitute ordinance to city council removing the occupancy limit, replacing it with a codification mirroring the governor’s order which accomplished our goal of additional enforcement measures for our safety forces," she said in a statement.