Jun 29, 2020 - Health

Jacksonville issues public face mask requirement

Jacob Knutson

A statue of a jogger with a face mask in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Jacksonville, Florida, announced Monday that it would require the use of face masks indoors and in public to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

Why it matters: The Republican National Committee relocated the main events of its August convention, including President Trump's acceptance speech, to the city after a battle with North Carolina's government about restrictions on the event in Charlotte.

Between the lines: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, his staff and health care experts had been considering the mask order for more than a week, Politico reports.

He decided on the requirement after the Coast Guard and Navy ordered mask-wearing while inside their two facilities in the city.

The big picture: Florida is experiencing a surge in new coronavirus cases. It reported a record 9,585 new cases on June 27 and more than 8,500 on Sunday.

The state has had more than 146,000 cases and 3,447 deaths from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

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Jacksonville issues public face mask requirement

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