ORDER OF THE MADISON COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER
REQUIRING THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES

ENTERED JULY 6, 2020

WHEREAS:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 is prevalent in Alabama.
The appearance of in the State poses the potential of widespread exposure to an
infectious agent that represents a signi?cant risk of substantial harm to a large number of people.

0 The State Board of Health has designated COVID-19 to be a disease of epidemic potential, a
threat to the health and welfare of the public, or otherwise of public health importance.

0 On March 13 of 2020, on the recommendation of the State Health Of?cer, Kay Ivey, Governor of
the State of Alabama, declared a state public health emergency exists in the State of Alabama.

0 Since March of 2020, the State Health Of?cer has issued several orders related to the suspension
of public gatherings.

0 Madison County continues to experience widespread community spread of and a
rising number of hospitalizations related to COVID-19.

0 Social distancing and related measures remain necessary in Madison County to prevent the spread
of 

I The Madison County Board of Health has communicated its June 30, 2020, determination that a
face covering order applicable county?wide would be in the best interest of the public health of
Madison County.

0 COVID- 19 infection is usually spread to others via respiratory route, and this can occur even in
the absence of Face coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help protect
those work or interact in public places because they protect those around the wearer from
potential exposure.

0 The Madison County Health Of?cer has the authority to ?institute immediate measures to prevent
the spread? of noti?able diseases under Ala. Code 22-3-5(2) and believes that a face covering
order constitutes such measures.

0 The State Health Of?cer has given his approval to the Madison County Health Of?cer to issue
this Order.

NOW, THEREFORE, THESE PREMISES CONSIDERED, it is ordered that the following ace
Covering Order be implemented in Madison County effective July 7, 2020, at 5:00 pm.

1. De?nitions. The de?nitions used in the Order are as follows:

Face Covering Mask: A device to cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the
spread of saliva or other ?uids during speaking, coughing, sneezing, or other intentional
or involuntary action. Medical-grade masks are not required and are discouraged for use
under this Order, as they are in short supply and should generally be reserved for high-
risk ?rst responders and healthcare workers or those coming into direct contact with
suspected patients. Coverings may be fashioned from scarves, bandanas, or
other suitable fabric. The face covering must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer.

2. Face Coverings Required il_1_Public Places. All persons shall be required to wear face
coverings or masks in the following public places within Madison County:

a.

Indoor spaces of business or venues open to the general public, including but not
limited to stores, bars, and restaurants (see exception 3b), entertainment venues,
public meeting spaces, government buildings, civic centers, etc.

Transportation services available to the general public, including mass transit,
paratransit, taxi, or ride-sharing services.

Outdoor areas open to the public where ten or more persons are gathered and unable
to maintain a distance of six (6) or more feet between persons not from the same
household.

3. Exceptions. A face covering or mask shall not be required for:

a.

Children two (2) years of age and under. Face coverings or mask may pose a risk
of choking, strangulation, or suffocation to infants and young toddlers. Carriers and
strollers with covers that allow the child to breathe comfortably are recommended as
safe alternatives.

Eating or Drinking. Persons may remove face coverings while eating or drinking,
provided that they re-cover their faces when interacting with other persons, not at
their tables such as bartenders, servers, or other customers.

Medical Examinations or Procedures. Patients in examination rooms of medical
of?ces, dental of?ces, clinics, or hospitals where there is a necessity to examining or
treat the mouth or nasal area. In those circumstances, medical or dental
professionals in charge of the office, clinic, or hospital may direct individuals to
remove their face coverings.

Hair Care Services. A customer?s face covering may be temporarily removed or
displaced when necessary to provide hair care. Otherwise, customers and workers
in hair care settings must wear face coverings while inside the hair care
establishment.

Personal Safety. A face covering mask shall not be required when wearing such a
face covering mask poses a signi?cant mental or physical health, safety, or security
risk, such as when a person has trouble breathing, is unconscious, is incapacitated,
or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance. Under this subsection,
a ?safety risk? may also include external factors, such as:

Persons are working on ladders or at a height
(ii) Persons are wearing other respiratory protection
Persons are engaging in heavy physical exertion
(iv) Persons are operating heavy equipment

Persons are working in an environment where a face covering or mask hinders
communications necessary for safety

f. Places of Worship. Places of worship may use their discretion regarding face
covering requirements. However, face coverings are strongly recommended for
congregants during worship services, especially while singing or speaking together.
Face coverings are also recommended for situations within places of worship where
people from different households are unable to or unlikely to maintain a distance of
six (6) feet from each other.

g. Effective Communication. The requirement to wear a face covering shall not
apply when a person who is hearing-impaired needs to see the mouth of someone
wearing a face covering to communicate. It shall also not apply to a person
speaking to a large group of people, where the face covering may make it dif?cult
for others to understand the Speaker, provided the speaker can stay at least 6 feet
away from other persons.

h. Indoor Athletic Facilities. All indoor athletics facilities (including ?tness centers,
commercial gyms, and spas, as well as yoga, barre, and spin facilities) shall comply
with the State Health Of?cer?s June 30, 2020 Order. Patrons are not required to
wear face coverings or masks while actively participating in permitted athletic
activities. However, employees in regular interaction with patrons are required to
wear face coverings or masks.

i. Private Clubs and Gatherings. Face coverings shall not be required in meetings of
private clubs or private organizations, provided:

The meetings are not open to the general public; and

(ii) A consistent six (6) foot distance between persons from different households
is maintained.

4. Children. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for ensuring the proper masking of
children over the age of two years when in public places. They must also ensure that the face
covering mask does not pose a choking hazard for children and can be safely worn without
obstructing a child?s ability to breathe.

a. Discretion for Young Children. Parents, guardians, and caregivers of children
eight (8) years old or younger shall exercise their discretion regarding the ability of
those children to consistently and effectively wear a face covering mask.

b. Childcare Establishments and Schools. All schools, daycares, and other childcare
establishments shall develop their face covering policies and procedures based on
guidance and recommendations from public health authorities and the State
Department of Education. These policies should weigh the risks and bene?ts of
masks to children, teachers, and other school employees. Parents and guardians
should be noti?ed of such policies and procedures. Where the consistent use of face
coverings or mask is not possible due to the supervision of multiple children, the
facility shall adhere to sanitary, hygienic, and face covering practices to the
maximum extent practicable.

5. Business. Unless otherwise ordered by the State Health Of?cer to comply with a stricter face
covering requirement, business owners, managers, and supervisors shall develop their policies

and procedures regarding face coverings for employees in accordance with the Centers for
Disease Control and Alabama Department of Public Health guidance.

a. Public Places. If a business contains a space or spaces open to the general public,

policies regarding those spaces must comply with the restrictions in Section 2 of
the Order.

b. Non-Public Places. If a business contains areas open to the general public, a ?non-
public place? not included in Section 2 of this Order, such as an of?ce or
backroom, policies regarding those spaces should take into account the health,
safety, and comfort of employees.

c. Employees Safety. Employers are encouraged to structure work to promote social
distancing and limit close contact as much as possible within the workplaces where

face coverings or masks may pose risks to personal safety.

6. Notices. All businesses and venues open to the general public shall post a notice at all public
entrances of their establishment, stating that face coverings are required inside the establishment.

7. Con?ict. This Order does not apply within a municipality that has adopted a face covering
ordinance prior to the date of this Order.

8. Duration. This Order shall go into effect on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 5:00 pm. and remain in
full force and effect until the Madison County Board of Health determines that public health

conditions in the County warrant discontinuation of or change in this Order.

Done on this the 6th day of July, 2020.

M144

 

K?en Landers, MD.
Madison County Health Of?cer