Masks Now Mandatory In Beachwood

BEACHWOOD, OH — Face coverings are now mandatory in indoor areas in Beachwood.

Beachwood City Council unanimously passed a mandate requiring face coverings within publicly-accessible indoor areas this week. Businesses are granted the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering.

“This is a public health requirement in the midst of the largest public health crisis of our lifetime,” said Council President James Pasch. “There is nothing more important than our health, and science shows that a simple face mask helps blunt the spread of the virus. It is incumbent on all of us, not just to look after ourselves, but also our neighbors, friends and entire community. If we all wear masks, we will all be safer. We must do our small part to save lives.”

In Beachwood, a face covering will mean, "a covering of the nose,mouth and chin that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face.”

Face coverings will be required:

• Inside retail businesses
• In restaurants or bars, when not at a table
• In office spaces open to the public
• In any personal care or grooming business
  • Facial coverings can be temporarily removed if a customer is receiving a facial treatment, shave or other service which requires access to the face.

Anyone who does not follow the facial covering mandate will receive a verbal warning and then a fine of up to $85.

Exceptions to the city's new mask mandate will be listed on Beachwood's website.

“If you’re outside in Beachwood, running errands or visiting someone who isn’t part of your quarantine household, please: wear a mask,” said Mayor Martin Horwitz. “We want our residents, employees and visitors to stay healthy and wear face masks to promote the continued health of our city.”

Several major Ohio cities have begun requiring masks within municipal boundaries, including Cleveland and Dayton.