FERNDALE, Calif. (KIEM)- As more businesses open up there have been some confusion on if business owners can refuse service to those without a face covering.
The Ferndale City Council had an emergency meeting to discuss issues surrounding compliance.
“During that particular meeting, there were concerns about council members some compliance issues with the masks,” said Chief Bret Smith of the Ferndale Police Department.
Such as does a business have to enforce the mask, Smith explains.
“No they don’t, and they have options, some of those options may be to allow the person to can go about their business,” Smith said. “They can refuse service, they can ask the person to the person to leave, and they can call law enforcement if they feel uncomfortable.”
Smith says technically not wearing a mask as advised by the county health department is a misdemeanor.
“Law enforcement in Humboldt County has taken an educational approach to get voluntary compliance rather than hardcore enforcement approach,” he said.
Smith says what is uncharted territory are those exempt from wearing a mask, that decision is left to business owners.
Thomas Nicholson Stratton is an employee at Golden Gait Mercantile.
“We’re lucky that we have the ability to do curbside pick-up and payment through our online store,” he said.
Kimberly Pergerson-Williams owns Elyon, a boutique in Ferndale.
“I actually accommodate that by putting a sign on, like that says for a private shopping session, so that is how we’ve dealt with acute health issues for people,” she said.
Tourist Katherine Coon says she carries a mask with her just in case.
“In Humboldt County and Mendocino County you have to wear a mask everywhere you go, so we brought them.”
According to Smith, County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Franchovich has merit for asking for social distancing of six feet and wearing masks inside.
“Those are all good things to keep everybody healthy,” Smith says. “We’re going to continue to educate, were going to continue to try to get volunteer compliance with public health orders.”
The City of Ferndale voted to continue its recognition of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in the last city council meeting, according to Smith.
He also adds, as a public health directive, every ten days the City of Ferndale is required to have a meeting to affirm Medical Emergency Ordinance.
