Naples City Council decides against mask mandate

You won’t be required to wear a face mask in the city of Naples. The city council decided Thursday afternoon to forgo any plans requiring face coverings outside or in buildings.

Opinions were mixed among those at the meeting and who spoke to WINK News.

Jim Melican, president of the Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums, said his neighbors don’t feel safe as season begins and more people stream into Southwest Florida.

“I know from personal observation that most of the people that I see on the streets of Naples, and I specifically walked the street last Saturday night, are not wearing masks,” he said.

Leigh Kistler, however, feels most people already complying without a mask mandate.

“I see it being an unnecessary mandate. And mandate is like it sounds: it’s ‘You will do this.’,” she said. “Not really the American style that I grew up with.”

The council ultimately agreed, with Mayor Teresa Heitmann touting the City’s “All Heroes Wear Masks” campaign.

“We are doing what we need to do as policymakers in making sure that we get the message out, educating the community, providing masks and encouraging the CDC guidelines.”

There was mixed mask-wearing at the meeting on Thursday, with two of the council members opting to mask up.

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