FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Masks and facial coverings will once again be required while indoors at Broward County facilities, regardless of vaccination status.
The move, which goes into effect on Friday, comes after a guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control recommending that vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas of high transmission of the coronavirus.
At Caffe Europa in Las Olas, they try to keep it simple when it comes to mask wearing — masks required for employees and optional for customers.
“Because there’s a lot of argument, that’s why,” said Mario Brandimarte. “It was a lot of argument. People say, ‘I get vaccinated. I do this, I do this,’ so we don’t wanna take any argument, but we still do whatever is best for everybody.”
At McDonald’s Hardware, staffers didn’t need the CDC’s new recommendation to wear masks indoors. They haven’t taken them off since the pandemic started.
“Just to make sure that we keep our employees safe, our customers safe,” said Atiba Abdullah.
Just a few miles away at My Market & Deli, they’re taking a different approach.
“I don’t require anybody to wear masks,” said Todd Schofield. “My employees, some of my employees are wearing masks at the moment and some aren’t.”
Publix said they are reviewing the current situation and Costco said they will follow all state mandates.
Miami-Dade County implemented a similar policy on Wednesday. Like Miami-Dade’s ordinance, the policy only applies to county-run buildings. However, private businesses can still require masks if they want.
“The new County Administrative Policy cites the surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Broward fueled by the Delta variant,” officials said in a statement.
County officials urged members of the public to get vaccinated against the virus.
“Vaccines are free and insurance is not required. The County has various vaccination sites and pop-up locations available in partnership with the [Florida Department of Health].”
County officials said the FDOH is opening an additional testing site on Aug. 2 at the South Regional Health Center. The site will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary to attend.
To read the county’s full release, click here.
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