<b>From staff reports</b>

Beaufort City Council on Monday, June 29 unanimously passed an ordinance requiring face covers for any member of the public who enters a public building, including all stores and restaurants within the city limits. The ordinance also requires employees of such establishments to wear masks.

The ordinance passed at an emergency meeting this morning, and will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. It will be in effect for at least 30 days, at which point it will be ended or extended.

Council members said this was a difficult decision, but necessary to protect the overall health and well-being of the community. The action was taken following a persistent spike in Covid-19 cases in the both South Carolina and Beaufort County.

The City is distributing posters to retail establishments stating a mask ordinance is in effect.

<b>This story will be updated. Please check back.</b>