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Face Coverings <br /> From the onset of the COVID restrictions, there has been a continual repetition of <br /> messaging relative to the need for individuals to use a face covering when outside of <br /> their residence and/or interacting with others who are not members of their household. <br /> The City has made substantial efforts to inform and educate the Pleasanton community <br /> about the benefits ofโ€” and requirements to โ€” wear a face covering when out in public <br /> places. Among these messaging tools are continual posts on the City's social platforms, <br /> images and videos advocating for the use of face coverings, signage at all City <br /> playgrounds and other recreation areas, A-frame and banner signage along Main Street <br /> during the weekend street closures, No Mask No Service signage for all Pleasanton <br /> businesses to use at their establishment, a letter to the community which urged <br /> residents to follow the state and county orders and to wear a mask, and ongoing <br /> reminders in the City's weekly community e-newsletter. Additionally, as an employer the <br /> City requires all employees and visitors to City offices and facilities to wear a mask <br /> except when alone in a closed office. <br /> At its meeting on February 2, 2021 a majority of the Council asked to agendize a <br /> discussion about additional steps to increase community compliance in using face <br /> coverings. It is understandable that members of the community are experiencing 'mask <br /> fatigue' and so are not as committed to following the requirement as at the beginning of <br /> the pandemic. <br /> When considering consequences for not adhering to the requirement to wear a face <br /> covering, the County's order makes any violation of the order a misdemeanor <br /> punishable by fine, imprisonment or both to be pursued by the district attorney. Other <br /> cities in Alameda County have taken additional local action by adopting an <br /> administrative fine structure for such citations in their community; the cities of Dublin <br /> and Livermore are among them. Both cities report that, like Pleasanton and Alameda <br /> County, they are taking an education-centric approach and have focused their specific <br /> enforcement efforts on business establishments as the result of escalating response to <br /> non-compliance by the business. To date, Livermore has not issued any citations and <br /> Dublin has issued less than 10 citations. <br /> There are the following options relative to additional steps that the City might be taken <br /> toward enforcement of mask wearing', noted from least to most stringent: <br /> Continued education about wearing face coverings โ€” This could include sustained <br /> messaging about the requirement to use a face covering when in public. <br /> Direction to staff. Continue to incorporate 'face covering required' messaging <br /> across City information-sharing channels <br /> 1 Any requirement for face coverings recognizes there are some individuals exempted by State or County <br /> orders (e.g., young children, individuals with health conditions that preclude face coverings, etc.). <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br />