How comfortable are Collier County businesses with the new mask mandate?

Reporter: Gail Levy
Published: Updated:
Sign outside of a Collier County business asking customers to please wear a mask inside. (WINK News)

Wednesday is the first day you must wear a mask when you go inside buildings in Collier County.

We know it’s a heated issue. More than 200 of you showed up to debate the order on Tuesday.

Now that the rule is in place, how comfortable are businesses with enforcing the rule in their stores? They told us “no problem.”

Business owners say they know and appreciate that some customers may not like the mask order, but the law is the law.

It’s nothing new for those in charge at Native Vision Galleries, who have had a mask mandate for months.

“Nothing’s changing with us, you know, we’re at a point where enforcement is following the actions of the people,” said Derreck Vanderhoof, a consultant at Native Vision Galleries.

But the mask mandate is now to all of Collier County, with no exceptions besides for young children and those with medical reasons why they cannot wear one.

“It’s going to expire on September 3, which means we have a budget meeting and at that time we will evaluate whether we want to continue it or allow it to expire,” said Collier County Commissioner Penny Taylor.

She said some store owners have called saying they’re worried about enforcement. Code Enforcement will handle that.

“A business owner such as this lady who is concerned about enforcement could hire a security guard,” Taylor suggested, but we learned that business owners have no problem telling people “no mask, no service.”

“I don’t mind asking people to put on a mask,” Vanderhoof said.

“I haven’t had any experiences where I had to kind of debate or quarrel with anyone.  Everyone’s been so super helpful and cooperative,” said Victoria Martinez, an employee at Grace and Shelly’s Cupcakes.

“I don’t think people are going to object. I mean, I really don’t,” said the owner of Tropics Real Estate, Marlene Graham.

In fact, she believes the mask order will stop the spread of the virus and keep her clients safe.

“I’m just all for the mask mandate,” she said.

In Naples, the city can opt into the mask mandate but has not yet done so. The same goes for Marco Island.

In the rest of Collier County, the fine for not wearing a mask can be up to $500.

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