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COVID-19 Face Covering Requirement Ordinance

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1. Why is the City of Cocoa requiring me to wear a mask in public?

Cocoa City Council passed emergency ordinance no. 13-2020 on August 12, 2020 to minimize the spread of COVID-19 since there is currently no vaccine for the virus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Florida Department of Health recommend social distancing and wearing of face coverings as effective tools to slowing the spread of this virus. The CDC recommends wearing of face coverings in public where social distancing is not attainable. 

2. When did the emergency ordinance requiring face coverings go in to effect and when will it expire?

Cocoa City Council passed emergency ordinance no. 13-2020 on August 12, 2020 to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and the ordinance takes effect on Saturday, August 15, 2020. It will be reviewed by Council approximately every thirty (30) days to determine whether it should be extended or terminated based on the status of the COVID-19 emergency.

3. What are the City limits of Cocoa? Does this apply to all of Brevard County?

Emergency Ordinance No. 13-2020 requires face coverings in all places open to the public throughout the jurisdictional limits of the City of Cocoa only and does not apply to the rest of Brevard County. The City of Cocoa city limits can be found on our interactive district map.

4. Who is required to wear a face covering?

This ordinance applies to every person working, living, visiting or doing business in the City of Cocoa while in a place that is open to the public, indoors or out. Places open to the public shall mean a place which the public has access, including, but not limited to, business establishments, public streets, public parks, common areas of buildings and properties, and such other places where the public is free to go.

5. Where are face coverings required?

Places open to the public shall mean a place which the public has access, including, but not limited to, business establishments, public streets, public parks, common areas of buildings and properties, and such other places where the public is free to go. Face coverings are required in any indoor location (excluding one’s home or residence) when not maintaining social distancing from other persons. Face coverings don’t need to be worn outdoors unless you can’t maintain a physical distance of six feet from others. If you can keep the physical distance, a face covering is not needed when you are outside walking, exercising, or otherwise outside.  

6. Are there exceptions to wearing a face covering?

A face covering shall not be required for the following persons:

• Persons under the age of 2 years are not required to wear a mask under any circumstances. If a person is under the age of 6 years, use of a face covering shall be left to the discretion of that person’s parent, guardian or accompanying adult. 
• Persons observing and maintaining social distancing from other persons in accordance with CDC guidelines at outdoor locations. 
• Persons within a motor vehicle, except if the motor vehicle is being used as a vehicle-for-hire then the vehicle constitutes a business establishment. 
• Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing documented or demonstrable health condition or disability. It is the intent of this provision that persons unable to tolerate a face covering for medical, sensory or any other health condition which makes it difficult to utilize a face covering and function in public are not required to wear a face covering. Additionally, it is further intent of this provision that persons having trouble breathing, unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance are not required to wear a face covering. 
• Persons working in a business establishment who are in an area not open to the public or who are not interacting face-to-face with the public. However, this exception does not apply to employees of the business establishment who are present in the kitchen or other food and beverage preparation area of a business establishment. 
• Persons working in, or patrons of, a business establishment where use of a face covering would prevent them from performing the duties or receiving the services of the business establishment. 
• Persons exercising, while maintaining social distancing. 
• Persons eating or drinking. 
• Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel utilizing their personal protective equipment required by their respective agencies. 
• A person speaking with another individual who is hearing impaired where the hearing impaired individual needs to observe the person’s mouth in order to understand what is spoken. City of Cocoa Ordinance No. 13-2020 
• Persons for whom a face covering would conflict with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Students and persons at any location under the control of the school shall be governed by the school’s policy regarding face coverings when such students and persons are on school campus. 
• Persons in a lodging establishment who is inside of the lodging unit including, but not limited to, a hotel room, motel room, bed & breakfast room, vacation rental unit, timeshare unit or similar lodging unit.

7. How will this ordinance be enforced?

The City of Cocoa relies on voluntary compliance with the provisions contained in the emergency ordinance requiring face coverings and will work with residents, business owners and visitors to educate and warn of the dangers of non-compliance. 

8. If I don't have a mask, where can I get one?

The CDC has a page on their website dedicated to information regarding face masks including how to make a mask at home. Visit, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html for more information. 

9. What is a face covering defined as?

“Face Covering” shall mean a uniform piece of material, such as cotton, linen, polyester, that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands, whether store bought or homemade, consistent with CDC guidelines. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html. 

10. What do I need to present to businesses if I fall into an exception category for the emergency ordinance?

The ordinance does not require anyone to present any health information. Whether a business permits someone to enter their establishment is a decision for that particular business to make.

11. Are government entities or non-profits exempt?

“Business Establishment” means a location with a roof overhead where business is conducted, goods are made or stored or processed or where services rendered. The term includes transportation network companies, such as Ubers and Lyft, vehicles operated for mass transit, jitneys, limousines for hire, rental cars, and other passenger vehicles for hire. The term also includes locations where non-profit, governmental, and institutional entities that facilitate public interactions and conduct business. Places of worship and other organized places of public assembly are also included in this term.

12. Do I need to wear a mask when I am exercising?

If you are exercising or doing some sort of physical activity while maintaining social distancing, you do not need to wear a mask. 

13. Do I need to wear a mask if I am simply walking down the street?

All individuals in the city limits of Cocoa are required to wear a face covering consistent with CDC guidelines while in a public place if you are not able to maintain social distancing guidelines. Know and follow the CDC guidelines and wear a face covering to protect yourself and others.

14. How do I report a business that is not following the emergency ordinance requiring patrons to wear face coverings?

There is currently no specific entity for reporting businesses that are not following the emergency order. If you have concerns about a business not following CDC guidelines, you should contact the management for that business directly to address those concerns. Ultimately, if you do not feel comfortable with the way a business is operating, you can choose not to patronize that particular business. We do however have a place for businesses to proudly display when they are following the CDC guidelines by submitting their name to our business pledge website. 

15. What can I do as a business owner to help enforce this ordinance?

Businesses can download a mask mandate sign on our website and display it in their place of business. 

16. Do I have to wear a face covering while I am eating?

Face coverings are required to walk in to any establishment that is open to the public but any person eating or drinking is not required to wear a face covering.

17. What should I do if I see someone without a face covering?

Be courteous and kind! The individual may have a valid reason, including concerns for their own health and safety. Please do not shame or yell at people who are not wearing face coverings. Others may have breathing problems or health issues you do not know about. People who cannot wear a cloth face covering are not required to show proof of their medical condition nor are they required to name their medical condition.

For your own safety, do not confront or start an argument with individuals. Stay at least 6-feet away from people who are not wearing face coverings. You can call or talk to the business owner or manager about your concerns if you see staff or customers who are not wearing face covers in indoor public settings while not social distancing.

18. Are face coverings required to come inside a City facility?

Yes. Face coverings are required while inside City facilities. If you choose to not wear a face covering, there are multiple ways you can still do business with the City of Cocoa virtually. You can visit the City’s COVID-19 web page for more information on how to contact the various departments.