West Columbia extends face covering ordinance

Listen to this article

The city of West Columbia has joined the city of Columbia in extending an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings.

During its Monday meeting, the West Columbia City Council extended its ordinance until Jan. 2.

Face coverings must be worn inside food service establishments, retail establishments, hair and nail salons and barber shops, personal hygiene establishments, medical offices, and city buildings. Businesses where masks are required must place a notice in a conspicuous place.

Employees at food service and retail establishments within city limits must wear face coverings during interactions with the public.

Violations will result in a fine of not more than $25.

Exceptions include underlying health conditions and persons 10 years of age or under, except in restaurants, where face coverings must be worn by those two years of age or older.

Retail establishments with the ability to isolate customers and maintain social distancing may request a waiver online at www.westcolumbiasc.gov.

The city of Columbia extended an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings and suspending normal operating procedures for city council and city boards and commissions in September. Columbia’s ordinance extends those measures to 61 days past the previous expiration date of Oct. 4.