Planning on heading to the Keys for a change of scenery this summer?
As you can imagine, it will be a bit different, due to the coronavirus.
Monroe County commissioners voted Thursday to make facial coverings mandatory, effective immediately.
That means visitors and residents are required to wear facial coverings at businesses and other indoor public settings.
🌴UPDATE: #FloridaKeys officials have passed an ordinance making face masks/facial coverings mandatory for residents and visitors throughout the Keys from Key Largo through Key West.
Please read our updated COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines: https://t.co/LsuxfnacI4 🌴 pic.twitter.com/kCoV4vgJCy
— The Florida Keys (@thefloridakeys) June 18, 2020
The ordinance allows restaurant and bar patrons to remove their masks while seated, eating or drinking. It also allows people in gyms to remove their facial coverings while they are exercising, as long as there is at least 6 feet of distance from the next closest person.
Additionally, the commission recommends that everyone older than age 6 carry a mask whenever they are away from home.
Violators will be subject to fines, but will not receive jail time.
The ordinance is in place through June 2021, although it is subject to “quarterly review.”
The Keys reopened for visitors on June 1, after being closed for more than two months due to the pandemic.