PERRY, Fla. (WTXL) — Perry is reinstating its mask mandate after a court upheld Gadsden County's mask mandate when a lawsuit was filed against it.
"The ordinance to wear a mask is passed," said Alan Hall, the mayor of Perry.
The City Council voted three to two to reinforce the mandate.
The ordinance is getting some backlash from people in the community.
"I'm just against the mandate," said a Perry resident. "I think we should have the parade, open schools. We need to get back to normal."
That sentiment shared by State Representative Anthony Sabatini who just lost a lawsuit against Gadsden County following their mask mandate.
"We would like an injunction that stops these mandates and declaratory action that these are actually illegal," said Phillip Lego, who lives in Perry.
"Every time we make a mandate or create a law for others to comply with we're taking away our freedoms," Hall said.
Hall also spoke about the enforcement of the mandate being unreliable.
Some council members are in favor of it.
"Public health is everyone's responsibility," said Sherlie Hampton, a City Council member. "We're not taking away someones right for you to do the right thing, no ones asking you to wear it all day."
The mask mandate does not have an expiration date yet and will continue as the council sees fit.
Leadership in Perry, opposed or not, is moving forward with the controversial mandate.
"We don't want to do this for life, I hope," Hall said.
That mask mandate goes into effect immediately and incorporates schools and churches.
