Update from Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Robert S. Weinroth. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an emergency order mandating facial coverings on June 23, 2020.

This order applies in all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County and was effective Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 12:01 A.M. The following is an order overview.

Businesses and Establishments

Facial coverings must be worn by all persons, while visiting or working in any business or establishment including, but not limited to: restaurants, retail establishments, hotels, grocery stores, gyms, pharmacies, indoor recreational facilities, and vehicles for hire.

Public Places 

Facial coverings must be worn by all persons in outdoor public places where social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines is not possible or not being practiced.

Palm Tran

All persons utilizing the County’s Palm Tran transit services shall wear facial coverings at all times unless a medical accommodation is arranged in advance.

County and Municipal Governmental Facilities 

Facial Coverings Required. All persons accessing governmental buildings shall wear facial coverings while present in the building.

Exemptions

Facial coverings are not required for the following persons:

• Children either under the age of two (2) or in the custody of a licensed childcare facility

• Persons prohibited from wearing facial coverings by Federal or State safety or health regulations

• Public safety personnel that have PPE requirements governed by their agencies

• Individuals while actively consuming food or beverage or receiving a facial treatment

• Persons with medical conditions that make the wearing of a facial covering unsafe

• Persons with religious beliefs or practices for whom wearing a facial covering conflicts

• Coverings may be removed temporarily while assisting hearing impaired individuals

Types of Facial Coverings 

Facial coverings include any which snugly covers the nose and mouth and which is secured in place. For examples of compliant homemade facial coverings, visit the CDC Website.

Signage

All businesses and establishments including restaurants, food service, and retail establishments shall conspicuously post signage (available for download at https://pbcgov.org/add) in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Creole for easy visibility at all entry points.

Enforcement

All businesses and establishments shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this Order and failure to comply may result in enforcement measures authorized by law.

The Sheriff of Palm Beach County, other law enforcement agencies and any other personnel authorized by law are authorized to enforce this Order. Authorized personnel may issue civil citations for fines not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first violation and five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation.

Source: Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Robert S. Weinroth