Logan County Department of Public
Health urges wearing a mask
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[September 15, 2020]
Currently, Illinois, including Logan County,
has experienced an elevated number of cases of COVID-19. To help
prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important that all citizens
continue to be responsible by wearing a mask in public places.
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By wearing a mask, you are doing your part to
prevent yourself from spreading any potential viruses to other
people. Conversely, if you are not wearing a mask, you are leaving
others, who are responsibly wearing a mask, more vulnerable of
becoming infected. Common sense and common courtesy will go a long
way as the community continues the fight against COVID-19.
In August, the Governor enacted an emergency rule mandating mask
usage in businesses to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. The
new rule calls upon businesses to create and enforce a policy of
mask use for their employees and their customers. The Governor is
also mandating that patrons in food establishments wear a mask when
placing an order or interacting with food service staff. The rule is
further calling upon enforcement action by local authorities through
a step by step process that begins with education.
The health department is urging that businesses and customers do
their part to protect each other and the community by following the
new rules. According to Don Cavi, Public Health Administrator at the
Logan County Department of Public Health. “Our department is a
strong believer that education is the first and foremost step to
creating a culture of compliance, and this has been effective.
Unfortunately, if a business refuses to follow through, additional
measures become necessary.”
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Cavi further adds, “our agency never wants to be
forced into taking enforcement measures, but sometimes this becomes
our only option to assure public health safety.”
The new rule incorporates this same philosophy as the
Governor advises that businesses not complying with the mask rule
will be educated, warned and subsequently penalized if corrective
action is not taken. Upon receipt of valid complaints, the Logan
County Department of Public Health will work with businesses
accordingly to assure full cooperation. The health department urges
businesses to add “no masks” to their no shirt, no shoes, no service
policies and that customers do their part by respectfully adhering
to these policies.
Any complaints regarding businesses that are not enforcing a mask
use policy can be addressed to the Logan County Department of Public
Health at 217-735-2317. Be sure to visit
WWW.LCDPH.
ORG for the latest local
data regarding COVID-19 and health department services.
[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]
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