Phoenix mandates wearing masks amid surge of virus cases

PHOENIX (AP) — The city of Phoenix on Friday approved a measure requiring people to use face masks in public to ward off the spread of the coronavirus as Arizona hit an all-time high for new daily cases.

In an emergency meeting called by Mayor Kate Gallego, the City Council voted 7-2 in favor of making masks or face coverings mandatory. The order goes into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday.

“Public health professionals tell us there are steps we can take to slow the spread. With today’s vote, the Phoenix City Council is moving forward to protect our community,” Gallego said.

The ordinance applies to all public places, including public transit, in the nation's fifth-largest city. Restaurants and other businesses will have the right to refuse service to people who do not wear masks or face coverings.

Exempted from the order are children under 6, people with religious beliefs against covering their faces and restaurant patrons who are eating or drinking. The restaurant patrons must wear masks while entering and exiting or moving around in the establishments.

Police are tasked with enforcing the mandate. Chief Jeri Williams said officers have been told to “lead with education” and let violators off with warnings first. Citations will be used as a last resort, she said. A spokesman for the police department did not immediately respond to an inquiry asking about the amounts of the fines

People who called in to express their views about the move before the vote were split between those who spoke in favor of it and opponents who called it a violation of their personal freedom.

Arizona's count of confirmed COVID-19 cases surged again Friday, setting the third record in four days for daily high numbers of new cases.

The state Department of Health Services reported 3,246...