Mayor Dan Horrigan and Council President Margo Sommerville have asked Akron City Council to revoke Ordinance No. 214-2020 that previously required all people to cover their faces while in public places to restrict the spread of coronavirus.
This command came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ohio Department of Health, and Summit County Public Health gave their updated recommendations.
As more and more Akron and Ohio residents are getting vaccinated and accessibility to the vaccine has kept increasing, the city deems that the mandate is no longer necessary.
However, the cancellation of the mandate should not discourage a person from voluntarily wearing a mask or prevent businesses and other places of public accommodation from implementing rules created to protect the health and safety of workers and customers.
“We implore all Akron residents to continue to respect the rules that our local businesses establish and to make responsible decisions based on their own vaccination status. Widespread vaccination has reduced the risk of uncontrolled community spread and will provide protection to those individuals who have accessed the vaccine. However, it is highly recommended that those who have not been vaccinated still continue to wear a face covering and practice social distancing since they are at a much higher risk for contracting and transmitting Covid-19,” said the City of Akron Press Secretary and Senior Strategic Counsel, Ellen Lander Nischt.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus vaccine is now available free of charge for anyone 12 years of age or older. Those who still need to get vaccinated can get detailed information by visiting gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to find availability near their location. People can also visit Summit County Public Health’s website to see the list of pop-up vaccination sites.