Indoor And Outdoor Face Mask Requirement Proposed In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A more expansive face mask requirement is under consideration in Alexandria amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic. City Council will consider an indoor and outdoor face mask mandate where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The measure will be introduced at City Council's Sept. 8 meeting with an adoption date of Sept. 12. If approved, the ordinance would take effect on Oct. 1.

Gov. Ralph Northam's face mask requirement across Virginia at indoor public settings has been in effect since May 29. The requirement applies to anyone aged 10 and older when they are indoors at brick-and-mortar retail, personal care and grooming businesses, places where people congregate, food and beverage businesses, on public transportation, and at state or local government services. The requirement doesn't apply when eating and drinking at restaurants and exercising. Anyone with a health condition that prevents them from wearing a face mask also does not have to wear one.

The city's ordinance would require a face mask unless an individual is in a personal residence or vehicle and outdoors when physical distancing is maintained. There are exceptions for medical conditions, certain activities, outdoor recreational sports and for students in school and daycare.

"I think the goal is to make sure that folks are wearing masks in any situation where you cannot be separate from anyone outside your family," said Mayor Justin Wilson in a Thursday virtual town hall.

In a memo to City Council, City Manager Mark Jinks cited Alexandria's position as a visitor destination and place where workers and residents travel to and from other localities, "making the Alexandria community particularly susceptible to the spread of COVID-19."

Under the proposal, enforcement would largely be based on voluntary compliance, but a $100 civil penalty option is also proposed. If the ordinance is approved, the city manager would delegate the responsibility of enforcement to "appropriate departments." Designated city staff would advise the public of the requirement and distribute face masks to those without one.

Costs for increased compliance efforts would be funded by federal CARES Act grant funds.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, Alexandria has 3,436 cumulative coronavirus cases, 62 deaths and 301 hospitalizations as of Friday. Wilson said the positive rate of tests in Alexandria is down to 4 percent, nearly the lowest rate since the beginning of the pandemic. The mayor pointed to increased testing as a contributor to the low positive rate, which includes a testing initiative with Neighborhood Health. Targeted testing events have been aimed toward populations and areas that have been the hardest hit by the virus.

According to Wilson, Inova Alexandria Hospital has 14 current COVID-19 patients and is at a "healthy" 56 percent overall capacity.

"The pace of new cases has certainly gone down from where we were back in April and May, however, we still have a significant level of infection that's continuing to spread in our community," said the mayor.