Bismarck adopts one-month mask mandate: 'We are going to be just fine'

BISMARCK — The city of Bismarck will have a mask mandate starting Nov 1. until Dec. 8 in an effort "to do something" to curb the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota's capital city.

The Bismarck City Commission voted 3-2 for an amended mask mandate that will last one month and have no penalties for noncompliance. The commission said it would consider extending the mandate at its Dec. 8 meeting.

The amendments came after more than two hours of discussion in which the majority of commissioners expressed dismay at a proposed penalty for businesses who did not comply with the mask mandate. The commissioners also wanted an exception to the mandate for religious activities.

The goal is to get the positivity rate for Burleigh County, which encompasses Bismarck, down to at least 8% from its current 12.7%.

Read more: https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/coronavirus/6736158-Bismarck-adopts-one-month-mask-mandate-We-are-going-to-be-just-fine