Need a mask? Columbia hands out face masks to meet new requirement
The city of Columbia will distribute masks next week to anyone who wants one to meet the new requirement that went into effect in the capital city on Friday.
Starting Monday, the city will hand out face masks on a first-come, first-serve basis at four locations around town. Masks will be limited to two per person or five for a family while supplies last, the city announced in a press release on Friday.
The move comes after Columbia began requiring residents to wear masks in most public places. The emergency measure is meant to stop a surge in new coronavirus cases in the Palmetto State, and will be enforced with a potential $25 fine for violators.
Masks will be given out at four community centers on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can get one at the Busby Street Community Center and the Hampton Park Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. to noon, and at the Earlewood Community Center and the South Edisto Neighborhood Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
Officials plan to continue the mask distribution on July 6, July 8 and July 10, or until all supplies are gone. The city notes that businesses are responsible for providing masks for their employees — they can face a $100 fine under the city ordinance otherwise — and anyone who can purchase their own masks is encouraged to do so.
Columbia City Council passed a mask requirement on Tuesday. Code enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing the measure, and City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine said only warnings will be issued for the first week.
Earlier this week, South Carolina broke its record for a largest single-day increase in cases, when almost 1,300 new cases were recorded in a single day on Wednesday. State epidemiologist Linda Bell said this week a statewide mask requirement would slow the spread of COVID-19, but South Carolina has not issued a statewide order, even as Charleston and Greenville joined Columbia in requiring residents to wear masks this week.
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