COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Cocoa Beach passed a mask mandate by a 3-2 vote on Tuesday night requiring people to wear masks in all indoor places except their homes.
Some exceptions would include exercising, eating, and personal health issues.
Commissioner Ed Martinez said the following before the meeting on Tuesday.
"So I think the challenge that we're going to have as a commission tonight is finding that balance where we're taking care of our compromised, taking care of our elderly and also allowing people to express their liberties at the same time," Martinez said in an interview before the special meeting.
Roy Scafidi wants his customers wearing masks.
Scafidi owns Oceansports World Beach Store by Coconuts on the Beach, which voluntarily closed this week.
As long as his store stays open, though, Scafidi said he will even give customers masks if they don’t have their own.
"I think that you should protect yourself by wearing a mask at all times, as necessary," he said. "But still, go out and live your life. I mean, just wear a mask."
Martinez said with this mandate, there would not be enforcement and no one caught without a mask would face penalties.
That’s contrary to the fines Satellite Beach could now charge people for not wearing masks in grocery stores and gas stations. The Satellite Beach City Council passed that mandate Monday night.