(Harlan) The Shelby County Board of Supervisors took no action at a special meeting on Tuesday on the Shelby County Board of Health’s recommendation to require CDC approved face coverings in public. This would’ve included face masks covering the mouth and nose, excluding gaiter and bandana style coverings.
Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell said the Board’s decision was based on an opinion from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
The Shelby County Board of Health recommendation included; mandatory masks in Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Hardware Stores, Retail Stores, Schools, public and private, and other public settings that are not one’s place of residence and when with persons who do not live in the same household.
The requirement also included; outside, if impossible to stay six feet away from others, and using public transportation or a private car service including; taxis, rideshare, or carpooling.
The recommendation exempts a person under the age of 2, anyone with breathing problems, anyone who unconscious, a person involved in a public safety role, while traveling in a personal vehicle alone or with other household members, or alone in the presence of other household members. In addition to that, face coverings are not required while exercising, seated at a food establishment while eating, or when attending a spiritual or religious gathering, except the church or other host of a spiritual or religious gathering shall implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each gathering to ensure social distancing of employees, volunteers, and the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
