News Flash

NEWS RELEASE
Office of the Mayor
Nov. 25, 2020

Mayor Allen Joines has ordered that within the city limits, “individuals and all offices, organizations and businesses” comply with Gov. Roy Cooper’s emergency orders pertaining to masking requirements and occupancy limits, and has authorized the Winston-Salem Police and Fire departments to enforce these orders.

Joines directs that department personnel pursue education and voluntary compliance before issuing citations as “the option of last resort.” Violations will be a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. View the Mayor's order (PDF).

Joines’ order was issued as a fifth amendment to the State of Emergency declaration he signed March 13. It will take effect at 5 p.m. today and remain in effect until modified or rescinded. The order stipulates that fines or civil penalties be turned over to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health and Greater Winston-Salem Inc. will assist the city in educating the public and local businesses about the provisions in Cooper’s emergency orders.

“With the recent surge in COVID - 19 cases, I’m taking this step to protect our citizens and ensure that our local businesses can remain open,” Joines said. “I hope that all our citizens understand the importance of being ‘a team player’ and that we never have to issue a single citation. But at this point in the pandemic, we need another tool to ensure the overall safety of our city.”

On Nov. 13 in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state, Cooper lowered the mass gathering limits to no more than 10 people inside and no more than 50 outdoors. On Nov. 23 he ordered that masks, shields or other face coverings be worn at all times indoors if there are non-household members present, regardless of distance; and be worn outdoors if within six feet of non-household members. Masks must be worn indoors even when exercising and at restaurants unless actively eating or drinking. Stores larger than 15,000 square feet of interior space must post an employee at the doors to enforce the mask requirement.

The Police Department is authorized to enforce all the provisions of Cooper’s orders. The Fire Department will enforce capacity and maximum occupancy limits contained in other emergency orders by Cooper.

In addition to authorizing the Police and Fire departments to enforce the governor’s orders, Joines’ order directs City Manager Lee Garrity and City Attorney Angela Carmon to investigate “the viability and legal authority for additional enforcement measures such as the imposition of civil penalties and civil enforcement by other city staff and to prepare the appropriate ordinance” for the City Council to consider in January. 

Joines’ order will be posted online at CityofWS.org/Covid19.