RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender today announced a mask mandate for city hall and other city-owned property during a press conference held in city council chambers.
The mandate means employees and visitors of City Hall and other city buildings must wear masks when in these locations.
Mayor Allender says hospitalizations are increasing and COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
Allender says City Hall and other City offices remain open, however the public and City staff will face the new masking guidelines. Visitors to city buildings will be required to wear a facial covering as will City employees providing face-to-face customer services. The public is being encouraged to utilize various options to eliminate or reduce visits to City facilities, including online payments, calling and e-mailing questions or information.
Allender says the current status of the virus affects all of us – whether you believe in it or not.
“This affects everyone. Whether or not you believe COVID is real. Whether or not you believe a mask helps or doesn’t help. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, Libertarian or some other party. Makes no difference. What makes a difference is that your ability to access the neccesary hospital resources you might need in a crisis, whether that’s COVID, or a car crash or heart attack or stroke – that becomes a risk as our hospitals fill up and our hospital staff gets overwhelmed.”
Allender says they’ve had their first 3 true, positive cases of COVID-19 within city hall. He says they were all in the same meeting with 9 other people last week.
