[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Oneonta 11-3-2020 by Ord. No. 3-2020[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 2 of this ordinance stated as follows:
"To ensure public awareness of the geographic boundaries, signs shall
be posted at the entrances to Main Street and within the MU-1 Zone
which advise of the substance of the ordinance."
A.
In February
2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") confirmed
the first case in the United States of a new respiratory disease called
the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 is caused by a virus (SARS-CoV-2)
that is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. COVID-19
spread rapidly in New York. COVID-19 poses serious health risks to
persons infected with the disease, particularly those with underlying
medical conditions and the elderly. The spread of COVID-19 has caused
economic hardship for many of the City's residents and business owners
and has significantly impacted the City's ability to provide services
to its constituents. New York State first identified cases within
its borders on March 1, 2020. It is therefore essential that the spread
of the virus be slowed to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.
B.
The virus
that causes COVID-19 is readily transmitted via respiratory droplet
contact, especially in group settings. Droplet transmission can be
reduced with the use of personal protective barriers such as face
masks. The CDC and other public health agencies have uniformly recommended
that the general public wear cloth face coverings and that individuals
not residing within the same household maintain at least six feet
of social distance from one another to prevent the spread of COVID-19
by droplet transmission.
C.
On April
15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17 requiring any
individual who is over the age of two and able to medically tolerate
a face covering to cover the nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face
covering when in public places.
D.
On May
28, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 202.34 which authorized
business operators and building owners to deny admittance to individuals
who fail to comply with the Governor's face mask mandate set forth
in Executive Order 202.17 or to require or remove individuals from
the premises if such individual fails to wear a face mask as required.
Nothing in Executive Order 202.34 or any other executive order prohibits
or limits the right of state and local enforcement authorities from
imposing fines or other penalties for violations of the directive
in Executive Order 202.17.
E.
The New
York State Department of Health has issued industry guidance during
the COVID-19 public health emergency for a variety of activities,
industries and businesses which sets forth physical distancing requirements
to minimize the spread of droplets and airborne contaminants, including
generally mandating a distance of six feet between individuals, and,
when not able to do so, the wearing of acceptable face covering.
F.
The Governor
has issued multiple executive orders limiting the gatherings of individuals,
whether it is on public or private property. On June 15, 2020, the
Governor issued Executive Order 202.45, which modified prior executive
orders to "allow gatherings of 50 or fewer individuals for any lawful
purpose or reason, so long as any such gatherings occurring indoors
do not exceed 50% of the maximum occupancy for any particular indoor
area, and provided that the location of the gathering is in a region
that has reached Phase 4 of the State's reopening, and provided further
that social distancing, face covering, and cleaning and disinfection
protocols required by the Department of Health are adhered to." Thus,
gatherings that do not exceed the Governor's limitations may occur
so long as appropriate social distancing and face covering requirements
are adhered to.
G.
Governor
Cuomo has stated that local governments have a responsibility to enforce
social distancing, mask-wearing requirements and business closures
and limitations. The Governor has warned local governments across
New York State that if local officials do not enforce compliance with COVID-19
public health orders, areas will be closed again. The Governor has
stated that he will reverse openings in areas that are not complying
with the rules and in those areas where local governments are not
enforcing the law.
H.
While voluntary
compliance with the aforementioned health and safety precautions on
public and private property is preferred, the City has determined
that the grave health risks and economic impacts associated with COVID-19
require enforcement mechanisms to protect the public health, safety
and welfare of City residents. This chapter therefore establishes
mandatory requirements regarding the use of face masks and face coverings
on certain private and public property in the City of Oneonta, as
well as penalties for any violation of the requirements of this chapter.
I.
The City
of Oneonta is a small city, having a population of some 14,000 residents,
of which approximately 7,000 are students attending either the State
University of New York at Oneonta, or Hartwick College, who come to
the City from different areas of the state, the country and the world.
At the time of the enactment of this chapter, there have been more
than 700 positive cases of COVID-19 diagnosed among the residents
of the City of Oneonta.
J.
The purpose
of this chapter is to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19 within
the City and is being enacted pursuant to the authority contained
in Title 10 (Health) of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and
Regulations of the State of New York, Part 66, Immunizations and Communicable
Diseases, Subpart 66-3, entitled "COVID-19 Emergency Regulations,"
effective July 9, 2020.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
- FACE MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS
- Face masks and face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g. homemade, sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N-95 respirators, and face shields, any one of which must cover the nose and mouth of the wearer.
All persons must wear a face mask or face covering while in
any public area within the MU-1 downtown shopping district as shown
and described on the City of Oneonta Zoning District Map. Masks must be worn by customers when inside
any business establishment; retail, restaurant or service provider.
In addition, masks must also be worn by all persons in all other public
areas of the City when there is less than a six-foot separation maintained
between any two persons. The face mask or face covering must, at all
times, be worn covering both the nose and mouth of the wearer.
A.
This provision
shall not apply to any person while in a moving, registered and licensed
motor vehicle.
B.
Face masks
or face coverings shall not be required to be worn by any child under
the age of two or by anyone who is unable to medically tolerate a
face covering as determined by a New York licensed physician or mid-level
provider; however, this provision shall not exempt any person from
maintaining a distance of at least six feet from another person, except
for a child under two, or when such person is with a guardian who
is not a member of the household.
C.
This provision
shall not apply to any person while when they are stationary and seated,
or standing while eating and/or drinking, at a City-approved outdoor
eating area or within a restaurant or food-serving establishment in
compliance with New York State Department of Health regulations.
D.
Police
officers, fire fighters, ambulance personnel and other first responders
shall not be required to wear a face mask or face covering when not
practical because they are engaged in a public safety matter of an
emergency nature.
A.
This chapter
may only be enforced during the time that a Declaration of Emergency
is issued by the New York State Governor due to an epidemic or disease
outbreak that is communicable through droplet contact or airborne
transmission.
B.
The Police
Department of the City of Oneonta shall enforce the provisions of
this chapter.
C.
Any person
found guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be subject to a
civil penalty in the form of a fine of up to $1,000 for an individual.
Any business whose owner or employees are found guilty of a violation
of this chapter while on the job shall be subject to a civil penalty
in the form of a fine of up to $2,000.
