Host City Of GOP Convention: Masks Now Required

Jacksonville’s NBC News affiliate reports:

Residents and visitors in Jacksonville, Fla., will be required to wear masks indoors and in public spaces to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the city announced Monday, potentially complicating President Trump’s desire to hold the Republican National Convention there in August without masks or social distancing.

The requirement will be for public and indoor locations, a city spokeswoman said. It will also apply to other situations where people can not socially distance.

The change in location followed squabbling with the governor of North Carolina over whether the massive gathering could take place in Charlotte, its originally planned location, without social distancing precautions. Trump is scheduled to deliver his speech on Aug. 27 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which holds around 15,000 people.

At 5 p.m. today, the City of Jacksonville will be adopting a mandatory mask requirement for public & indoor locations, and in other situations where individuals cannot socially distance.

Please continue to practice personal responsibility to help stop the spread of this virus. pic.twitter.com/dcAuolVMyZ

— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) June 29, 2020