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Whitefish Bay Village Board passes mask mandate for anyone 5+ years old inside public spaces

Published  July 23, 2020 9:15am CDT
Coronavirus
FOX 6 Now Milwaukee

WHITEFISH BAY — The Whitefish Bay Village Board passed an ordinance on Thursday morning, July 23 requiring anyone age 5 or older to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, with medical exceptions.

As part of the ordinance, according to village documents, business owners and operators would have the right to refuse entry to those who do not comply with the mandate. Those who do not comply — both business owners and individuals in violation — may be subject to a citation between $50 and $500. The village may act to revoke a business’ license for permitting violations of the mandate.

The ordinance would remain in effect for the duration of the village’s COVID-19 health emergency and may extend beyond the emergency’s expiration at the determination of the village board.

In neighboring communities, a Shorewood mask mandate went into effect on July 10, and a Milwaukee mask mandate took effect on July 16.

Statement on passage of Whitefish Bay mask ordinance: 

"Today’s action was an important step in the continued efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community. I am pleased the Village Board worked together to unanimously pass a mask mandate this morning for the Village of Whitefish Bay.

This is a matter of public health and safety; protecting the citizens of Whitefish Bay, the people who work in the Village and those who choose to come here to shop and do business. Thank you to the business owners and dozens of residents who provided input on this very critical issue.

I applaud the other municipalities in Milwaukee County that are taking this step, but it’s extremely unfortunate this has to be done on a community-by-community basis. It is time for Governor Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature to come together and pass a statewide mask mandate.

Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana have all enacted statewide mandates while the number of Coronavirus cases in our state continue to rise. This is a common sense issue, not a political one."