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1. Is everyone required to wear a face covering?

Not everyone is required to wear a face covering. Some people with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, and very young people (under 5) are not required to wear face coverings because doing so may cause harm to that person. Although the DHM requiring face masks has a broad exemption for people with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows for businesses to provide reasonable accommodations in the form of alternate services (e.g., curbside pickup or delivery instead of in person shopping) for a person who cannot wear a face covering because of a disability.

Masks are also not required for those:

• Seated at a bar or restaurant while consuming food or beverages
• Engaged in exercise
• Engaged in an occupation that prevents the wearing of a mask
• Purchasing goods or services that require a mask be temporarily removed
• Speaking to an audience where six feet of distance is maintained
• Seeking state or county government services

2. Why is a face covering important?

Face coverings help prevent the spread of the virus.

• Your face covering protects me, and my face covering protects you. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and workers who frequently come into close contact with other people (e.g., in stores and restaurants).
• Face coverings work best when we all wear them. Face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when face coverings are used along with other preventive measures, including physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
  
  
  

3. How should I care for my cloth face covering?

Wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily. Keep cloth face coverings in a separate paper bag or bin until they can be laundered with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face.

4. How long can I use a paper face covering?

If you use a paper face covering that is not for health care workers, it is recommended that you use a new one every day. Used paper face coverings should be thrown out at the end of the day.

5. I'm not able to wear a face covering for medical condition, mental health reason, or disability. Do I need documentation about why I can't wear a face covering?

No.

6. Does the mask requirement apply to businesses that see customers by appointment only?

If the staff of the business and the customer can maintain 6 feet of distancing at all times, they would not need face coverings.

7. Do individuals that have already tested positive for COVID-19 still have to wear a face covering?

Yes.

8. Are face coverings required inside gyms and yoga studios?

Yes, when you are going into and out of the gym. However, you may remove your face covering when you are engaged in exercise.

9. What do I do if I see someone not wearing a face covering, even though they should be?

Nothing. Some people have conditions or circumstances that would make wearing a cloth face covering difficult or dangerous. Just wear your face covering and stay six feet away.

10. Is there a penalty for not wearing a face covering in public?

Any individual or person who is found to have violated any of the provisions of the ordinance shall be guilty of an infraction as defined in section 1-112 of City code for each offense and shall be subjected to a fine of $25 for the initial offense. Each instance of violation may be considered to be a separate offense.

11. As a valid Concealed Handgun Permit Holder, am I required to wear a mask or face covering?

Yes. Nothing in the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2427 – 69-2449, prohibits the permit holder from wearing a face mask or face covering as described in the City of Kearney Temporary Mask ordinance. Permit holders may be asked to briefly remove the mask for proper identification by Law Enforcement. Permit holders shall comply with duties; contact with a peace officer, as described in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2440.