At a City Council meeting on Wednesday, Councilman Paul Koretz introduced a new motion that would implement monetary fines for people in Los Angeles caught without face coverings.
According to the motion, there would be a $100 penalty for first-time offenders caught in public without their face mask. The second penalty would result in a $250 ticket, followed by a $500 fine for third and subsequent violations.
“I’ve been a strong proponent of residents wearing masks to protect themselves and others from contracting the disease since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic,” Councilman Koretz said. “I’m glad that the mayor has added the requirement to his Safer LA order, but it is past time to actually enforce mask-wearing if people will not protect themselves, their families and their neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.”
Koretz added that despite the newly enforced COVID-19 protocols for businesses, he thinks L.A. County should start issuing tickets to individuals too...
“If we want to successfully reopen our businesses and get back to close to normal lives, it will never happen without a vaccine (which could be many months or years from now) or universal wearing of masks,” he added.
Councilman Herb Wesson also introduced a new motion on Wednesday. His motion would give Los Angeles business owners the authority to require their customers wear face masks.
“Small business owners and their employees are risking their lives to stay afloat in the midst of this economic and public health crisis,” Wesson said. “Wearing a mask saves lives, and this simple, common-sense law will save lives and allow us to beat this virus sooner rather than later.”
Read the full report on the Los Angeles Daily News.