OMAHA- Ralston and Gretna city council's have officially passed facemask ordinances while the governor continues to not pass a statewide mandate. Both cities called a special meeting for Monday evening to pass a vote. Within 15 minutes of Gretna's meeting starting, the matter had passed. Ralston's mandate also includes a penalty for any violations of the new mask mandate.
Mayor Roger Steele of Grand Island has made a formal recommendation to the city council for a mask requirement. He said it is not about politics but about controlling a deadly virus. He is calling on his community to step up and act responsibly.
Sen. Justin Wayne, an attorney and chairman of the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee pointed out state law that allows cities of all sizes the ability to impost regulations that prevent and manage diseases. Attorneys that represent cities are having a hard time deciding whether it actually is state law that allows them to implement these kinds of mandates. Ralston Mayor said the city's original interpretation was that they could not pursue a mandate.
Masks are not the only tool to slow the spread, but they are an essential part of a larger picture to slow the spread of COVID-19.