Seminole County Issues Executive Order Requiring Facial Coverings

On June 29, 2020, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners issued Executive Order 2020-030 outlining minimum standards for social distancing and requiring "every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in Seminole County [to wear] a Face Covering consistent with the current CDC guidelines while at all businesses, places of assembly, and other places open to the public."

Section 2 of the order describes "Minimum Standards for Businesses and Places of Assembly" in regards to social distancing, stating that "all places of assembly, businesses and other places open to the public" must follow certain conditions, unless precluded by an order from the Governor or if social distancing would preclude the provision of service to a customer (such as a hair salon or similar business). The conditions include: 

• Staying at least six (6) feet apart
• Meetings, workshops, training programs and other modes of assembly must ensure appropriate social distancing
• Checkout points and staging areas, including storefronts, must be monitored for social distancing requirements by means of marking floors or similar actions to maintain social distancing between patrons and employees.

The order also provides the following exceptions from the Face Covering requirement:  

• A Face Covering is not required at outdoor businesses, places of assembly and other places open to the public if social distancing, as described in Section 2 of the Order, can be accomplished.
• A Face Covering is not required for the following persons:
  • Persons under the age of two
  • Persons for whom a Face Covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition or disability
  • Persons working in a business or profession who are not interacting with the public and who are able to maintain social distancing form co-workers
  • Persons working in, or patrons of, a business or profession where use of Face Coverings would prevent them from performing the duties or receiving the services of said business/profession
  • Persons exercising, while maintaining social distancing
  • Persons eating or drinking
  • Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel (their personal protective equipment requirements will be governed by their respective agencies)
  • Persons communicating with someone who is hearing impaired who must see the mouth of someone to communicate

Executive Order 2020-30 will become effective as of July 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect throughout the duration of the Local State of Emergency declared on March 2, 2020 by the Seminole County Chairman via Executive Order 2020-001.