Face Coverings are now required in all Lafayette retail and commercial businesses

Dear Lafayette business –

I hope this message finds you, your families, and your employees healthy and doing well.
As we all try to navigate through the uncharted waters of COVID-19, I am especially aware of the unique challenges our Lafayette businesses are currently experiencing.  I know you’re all working diligently to find ways to continue operations in our new normal. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by close contact between people and through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Public health experts recommend we practice maintaining six (6) foot social distancing from others, wear face coverings, frequently wash hands, and stay home when sick in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 
Evidence shows that social distancing and the Stay-at-Home Order have helped to slow the increase of cases and rate of infection. But we need to continue diligence in order to reduce virus transmission as much as possible, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed.
 
Your customers and face covering requirements
Lafayette City Council enacted a Face Covering Public Order on May 13 stating that any place of business open to the general public, including any office or building that offers services to the public, must require persons inside their location to wear a face covering.
Face coverings are also required in outdoor seating and patio areas attached to a business. This Order is in effect immediately and will remain in effect until terminated by City Council. Individuals with a disability or medical condition, for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition, are exempt from wearing face coverings, as are children under the age of 13.
 
Face covering messaging: Face coverings are part of a broader strategy to minimize the transmission and spread of COVID-19. This strategy also includes social distancing of at least six feet, frequently washing hands, and staying home when sick. Any type of face covering can be worn, including factory or homemade coverings.
 
What to do if a visitor to your business is not wearing a face covering

• Let the individual know of the Lafayette Face Covering Order.
  
  
• Individuals with a disability or medical condition, for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition, are exempt. Read the full list of exemptions in the Public Order.
  
  
• Businesses are required to display signage at your entrances advising individuals of the face covering requirement. Find more information and how to pick up a poster under the “Help educate your customers on the cloth face covering requirement and social distancing in your place of business” section of this letter.
  
  
• Please call the Non-Emergency Police Dispatch at 303-441-4444 if you need assistance or have questions involving a customer who refuses to comply with the face covering requirement, or call 911 if there is an emergency.
  
• Lafayette Public Library (located at 775 W. Baseline Road) will have free face coverings available for pick up as soon as their curbside pickup program is available (tentatively late May – check our website for updates). 

Will I be fined if a customer refuses to wear a face covering?
A person operating a business would only receive a citation if, after receiving warnings, the business deliberately refuses to display signage or to require customers to wear face coverings within the business. A person operating a business will not be fined because a customer refuses to wear a face covering as long as the business is otherwise following the City’s order.
 
Your employees and face covering requirements
All persons within a place of business, including employees, vendors, and customers, are required to wear face coverings, unless exempt. Read the full list of exemptions in the Public Order to determine if there are any exemptions that apply to persons your business.  
 
Help educate your customers on the cloth face covering requirement and social distancing in your place of business
Businesses are required to display signage at each entrance advising persons of the face covering requirement. The City has designed a poster and flyer for your use.  You may print the following materials for placement in your business. You may also pick up a printed poster from Morrell Printing Solutions or PostNet Lafayette.
 
DOWNLOAD the Face Covering Poster (11x17)
DOWNLOAD the Face Covering Flyer (8.5x11)
 
Future restaurant openings and the face covering order
The following clause has been included in this order to cover restaurant openings when that occurs: Persons in restaurants that are permitted by state and county regulations to serve food for consumption on the premises, are exempt from face coverings while such person is in the act of eating or drinking; provided, however, that face covering must be worn while entering and exiting the restaurant, and while ordering, paying, or otherwise interacting with employees or other customers of the restaurant, and once the food and drink have been consumed.

In closing...

The Lafayette Face Covering Order is in place to further protect the health and safety of our community and to support the economic progress of our local businesses. Residents and employees must feel safe as we begin venturing out to shop and work again, and face coverings combined with physical distancing will help us open our local economy, and keep it open.
 
It is very important for everyone to understand that some people will not be able to wear a face covering due to a disability or health concern.  I ask everyone to be mindful and kind to one another in those cases and to always maintain a six-foot distance from each other.
 
I wish you all success in this unique situation.  If I can answer any questions or provide assistance, please feel free to contact me.
 
 
Jamie Harkins
Lafayette Mayor
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