KEARNEY — Pointing to a spike in COVID-19 cases that is overwhelming local nurses and health care professionals, the Kearney City Council has approved a temporary mask ordinance.
“In my heart of hearts, this is something we need to do to defeat this. COVID is something you don’t want to mess with,†said Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse before the City Council voted 5-0 to enact the mask ordinance.
It will take effect Monday, which will give churches an opportunity to adjust after this weekend’s services.
The ordinance requires people age 5 and older to wear masks in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus and ease the volume of cases filling Kearney’s hospitals.
Executives of CHI Good Samaritan and Kearney Regional Medical Center urged the City Council last week to enact a mask ordinance and encourage other measures to protect the public. The Kearney Board of Education and the University of Nebraska at Kearney chancellor also supported the call for a mask ordinance.
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Bill Calhoun, CEO of Kearney Regional Medical Center, reiterated his call for the mask ordinance: “I’m in favor of the public doing what is right to help us slow the spread of the virus.â€
The council’s approval followed a meeting of the Kearney Board of Health in which members discussed the proposed ordinance. The council then conducted an emergency meeting and public hearing in which 17 people spoke in opposition to the ordinance and five supported it.
The ordinance will run through Feb. 23.
Hastings and Grand Island are considering similar ordinances. The Beatrice Board of Health approved a local mask mandate Tuesday.
According to Kearney City Attorney Michael Tye, the ordinance requires that individuals use masks or facial coverings and also requires that places that are open to the public require the use of masks on their premises.
Like metro hospitals, hospitals in rural areas of Nebraska facing capacity concerns amid virus surge
The requirements have a number of exceptions. Masks will not be required in bars or restaurants while someone is eating or drinking or in people’s homes.
Masks would be required for people at a business, event or location that is open to the public and where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance.
Violating the mask ordinance carries a $25 penalty.