The City of Emporia’s mask mandate is now in effect through next month, however, there are still some who question the enforceability of the order.
Emporia City Attorney Christina Montgomery recently spoke with KVOE News and assured listeners the mandate is enforceable from a legal standpoint. However; Montgomery says there are some factors that will play a role in determining whether or not a violation is punished.
Last week, County Attorney Marc Goodman stated the ordinance was not an enforceable mandate. Goodman clarified the statement Tuesday, stating the mandate is legally enforceable, however, it is not practical due to the number of exceptions contained within the ordinance itself.
When it comes to reporting violations of the order, Montgomery encourages residents to avoid calling 911 unless the situation becomes dangerous.
The mask mandate, approved last Wednesday, requires the wearing of masks for certain situations within the city of Emporia. Violations are punishable by fines of $25, $50 and $100 based on the number of violations an individual has committed.
The mandate remains in effect until Wednesday, Sept. 16, at which time the Emporia City Commission will review the mandate and may either renew or allow it to expire altogether. Residents can view the mandate in its entirety on the city’s website at Emporia-Kansas.gov.
