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1. Why do we have a mask ordinance?

Wearing masks will slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.  www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0714-americans-to-wear-masks.html.  This disease is spread through little drops from the mouth, nose and lungs, passed from an infected person to others.  Cloth masks and non-surgical grade disposable masks help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19 to others.  Slowing the spread will save lives and reduce the burden on our health care system.  Wearing a mask is easy and the least restrictive way we can get back on track.

2. What is a mask?

A mask is any face covering that is manufactured or homemade.  The face covering should fully cover the wearer’s mouth and nose.  This can be made of cloth and securely tied to the ears or around the head, so that it doesn’t slip.

3. Do face shields count as masks?

A Face shield may be worn as a “mask” or “face covering,” as long as it covers the mouth and nose.

4. Who has to wear a mask?

All persons

• inside the city limits of Green Bay,
• over 5 years old,
• while indoors,
• at a public place.

5. What’s a public place?

This is an area to which the public usually has access. An individual’s place of residence is not a public space.  Places of worship are exempted from being public spaces, under the ordinance.

6. Where do I need to wear a mask?

All persons must wear a mask when they are inside any structure to which the public usually has access, in the City of Green Bay.  These include but are not limited to:  restaurants, stores, barber shops, salons, public buildings such as schools, government buildings and museums, gyms, hallways, and offices.  Lobbies, pool areas and dining areas in hotels are public places, but individual sleeping rooms are not.

7. When will the mask ordinance end?

The mask ordinance is tied to the  “Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency, City of Green Bay COVID-19 Response,” first declared by the Green Bay Common Council on March 17, 2020.  The Emergency Declaration has been extended by council several times.  The most recent Declaration can be found here.  So when the Council extends the Emergency Declaration, the mask order will also be extended.

8. Who doesn’t have to wear a mask?

• People who have trouble breathing.
• People who are unconscious or incapacitated.
• People who are unable to remove their mask without assistance.
• People who shouldn’t wear a face covering due to a medical condition, mental health condition or disability.
• People communicating with those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• People who can’t wear a face covering because it would create a risk related to work, as determined by government safety guidelines.
• People who are receiving services where wearing a face covering would not be practical or feasible.
• People who are eating and/or drinking in a restaurant, coffee shop or bar.
• People who are speaking to an audience, either live or broadcasted.  In this case, the speaker will stand at least 6 feet away from the audience (social distancing).
• People who are exercising.  In this case, those exercising will social distance from one another.  When the patron has finished exercising, they will put on a mask to walk around the facility.
• People who are inside a place of worship.
• Masks are also not required:
  • Whenever federal, state or local law otherwise prohibit wearing a face covering
  • When it’s necessary to evaluate or verify a person’s identity.

9. What happens if I have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents me from wearing a mask? Do I need to show proof?

You do not need to show proof to an employee, business owner or manager in order to be exempted from wearing a mask.  They must take your statements as true, as is stated in the ordinance.

10. Can I donate masks?

Yes! We are looking for volunteers to help make face masks or coverings of any kind for community members in need based on the new ordinance that became effective on Monday, July 27, 2020. Volunteers are asked to contact Eric Sponholtz at 920-600-0188 to coordinate the drop-off of completed materials at the Volunteer Center, as the center is currently open by appointment only.