The city of Sanford is beefing up face-covering requirements in the wake of four outbreaks of COVID-19 in the southern York County community.
Thecity council Thursday night unanimously approved an emergency ordinance requiring face-coverings in all public settings where social distancing is not possible. That includes retail stores, restaurants, lodgings and other businesses, regardless of size.
City Mayor Tom Cote says he understands resistance from some businesses that feel they are bearing the brunt of new regulations. But he says he has received a flood of emails from shoppers who have been avoiding Sanford because of inconsistent mask policies.
"People in Alfred, people in Acton, now they're going over to Rochester or wherever,” Cote says. “They don't want to come to Sanford because of our spotty implementation of masks, currently. And I understand the business concerns big time, I get it. But from my perspective this ordinance takes some of the pressure off them."
The city ordinance will also require all businesses to post signs telling customers that masks must be worn inside.
