UPDATE: Gadsden County removes a portion of their mandatory face mask order

By: WCTV Eyewitness News

Update: May 16, 2020

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- On Friday, the Gadsden County Board of Commissioners voted to remove a mandatory face mask order for restaurants. This decision is for both staff and patrons.

The Chairman of the Board states that while masks are no longer mandatory in restaurants they are still highly encouraged.

Masks are still mandatory in grocery stores and pharmacies for both staff and patrons.

Friday's meeting can be watched below.

Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Emergency Meeting | May 15, 2020
Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners Emergency Meeting May 15, 2020 01:00 pm
Posted by Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners on Friday, May 15, 2020

ORIGINAL STORY April 17, 2020

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- Following an emergency commissioners meeting on Friday morning, officials in Gadsden County have mandated the wearing of masks in public to help curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

After the meeting, Gadsden County Lt. Anglie Hightower

took to Facebook to clarify the new mandate.

Lt. Hightower says masks are to be worn under the following circumstances:

When in public and closer than six feet to others

People working in essential stores

Not needed to be medical or N95 masks; cloth covers will work fine Hightower says there'll be a $500 fine or up to a 2nd degree misdemeanor or jail time if people are not following the ordinance. Gadsden County Commissioners also extended a closure of vacation rentals. Lt. Hightower reminded the curfew in Gadsden County remains in effect from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Friday's emergency meeting by the GCBCC can be seen below.