MAUMELLE -- The city adopted a resolution "strongly encouraging" the use of masks in public places to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but the resolution stopped short of a mandate because of concerns expressed last week by council members.
The City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution stating the city encourages those who may safely wear facial coverings to do so, but it notes the city isn't attempting to mandate masks nor will it attempt to penalize those who choose not to wear face coverings.
"I recommend and encourage people who can't social distance to wear a mask unless you have a health condition that prevents that," Mayor Caleb Norris said.
Councilman Chad Gardner said the resolution allows the city to make a statement it cares about residents' safety, but it also puts the burden on businesses to enforce their rules.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued an executive order allowing cities to adopt limited requirements for people to wear masks in public places.
Hutchinson said the state waited until now to create the model ordinance because he wanted to allow time to fully educate the public on the value of wearing masks and to ensure consistent policies throughout the state.
"I do not want to have 500 cities across Arkansas having 500 different ordinances and all approaching it in different ways," Hutchinson said.
Fayetteville, Conway, Eureka Springs, Little Rock and Rogers have recently passed ordinances or resolutions requiring masks in public.
A public comment read during the Maumelle meeting asked City Council members to pass a mandate requiring masks be worn outside homes because of public-health risks.
Council member John Vaprezsan said he wasn't sure if he was in favor of a mandate, but he would be in favor of a resolution encouraging people to wear masks. He said based on conversations he'd had with th Police Department, he didn't believe the city had enough officers to enforce a mandate.
"It's unenforceable, a dog without teeth," he said.
Council member Ken Saunders said people don't fully understand the situation and that people like him die from wearing masks.
"I had to wear a face mask when I went to the oncologist, and my blood oxygen levels were well below 80%," he said.