CLEVELAND, Ohio — As Ohio continues to see a spike in COVID-19 cases, cities are seeking ways to prevent the spread of the illness.

But Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson isn't wasting any time and issued a mandatory mask order for public spaces. 


What You Need To Know


  • On July 3, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson ordered masks to be worn in public spaces

  • The order requires a maximum 50% capacity at bars and restaurants with social distancing

  • Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish plans on presenting a mandatory mask mandate to County Council

Throughout downtown Cleveland, you’ll find people wearing masks, but not all of them.

"You never know who has COVID. I mean, a lot of people are walking around asymptomatic, but, to look at someone, you can’t tell if they’re carrying it, so I’m not trying to go out of here any sooner than I’m supposed to," said Novi Rumbeau, a lifelong Cleveland resident.

Chris Baltusnik is one of the many Clevelanders getting used to the requirement of having one on in public spaces. 

"I mean of course it’s not easy, and it’s not something that you want to do," said Baltusnik. "Especially when it’s 90 degrees out. But, you know, if it helps stop the spread, you gotta do what you gotta do at this point, right?"

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson’s mask mandate involves mandatory masks for anyone out in public or in public spaces, including businesses and restaurants, a maximum 50 percent capacity at bars and restaurants with social distancing, an order to shut down if a place has two violations, mandatory sanitation after a positive test and mass gathering orders are still in effect. 

City Council will also consider guidelines for social venues that’ll include $50 citations for employees not wearing a mask and $25 for customers. A place of business can face a $3,000 fine for not following social distancing or capacity guidelines. Ride sharing services can also face a $50 penalty if someone in the car isn’t wearing a mask. Owners of a building hosting a mass gathering can face a $150 citation on the first offense. 

"Government overreach is putting it very mildly," said Black on Black Cleveland President Alfred Porter Jr., who believes it sets a bad precedent.

“With the high rates of mental cases, a high rate of poverty, a high rate of those who can’t even get out to get masks yet, if the essential workers are having problems in our city, I already know that we’re setting ourselves up for failure," said Porter Jr.  

Ohio has recorded 57,956 total COVID-19 cases. Cases have trended upward since June with daily totals between 700 to 1,300 in the last week.