Sanibel City Council enacts face mask requirement for city buildings

Sanibel City Council has enacted a mask mandate within its city buildings that are open to the public.

Masks will be required at City Hall, the Public Works building, and the City of Sanibel Recreation Center, among others.

The face-covering requirement at the recreation center means any activities, city-sponsored or after-school activities, will require participants to wear a mask.

Fitness instructors and participants as well as anyone in the weight room or on the treadmill will need to wear a mask, the city said in a press release.

Face coverings will remain optional for the outdoor portions of the recreation center, including the pool deck and tennis courts.

Sanibel also adopted an an-indoor face-covering policy for all persons aged 2 years and older requirement for all City Buildings open to the public (City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Public Works, 750 Dunlop Road, City of Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road and the Donax Wastewater facilities, 930 Donax Street).

The decision came during a special meeting Saturday. They decided to start with the current situation on Sanibel.

“We as a council decided it was time to have a discussion, especially with the increase in infections that were seeing with the Delta virus,” said councilmember Miller.

The face mask requirement was approved by a vote of 3-1, with Smith casting the only “no” vote. The requirement is for within recreation centers and ages two and over.

“We don’t have control over much but we do have control over city facilities,” said Councilman Mike Miller. “We should return to masks.”

“I think we need to do whatever we need to do to prevent outbreaks among the children,” Councilman Scott Crater.

The idea of wearing masks at school and after school didn’t sit well with the mayor. “I really struggle with requiring students in the afterschool program to mask up.”

Despite her vote against the resolution, Smith said she will respect the council’s vote and she will promote and support the council’s decision.

“I fully support the actions of our council and I’m behind the message and will work forward on that message as well. Regardless of the decision that I made for my vote,” she said.

Sanibel Resident John Herman didn’t agree with Smith. “In all reality, it is the parent’s choice. Not the city government’s choice to tell people how to conduct themselves,” Herman said.

Four actions taken:

1. Facial coverings to be worn at the recreation center for ages 2 and older at all times.

2. Facial Coverings to be worn in City Facilities by City Employees and public entering city facilities.

3. Signage will be displayed coming on to island on a reader board for additional awareness.

4. Resolution 21-66 was passed unanimously encouraging vaccinations, wearing of masks, and following of CDC guidelines in place.