The Minot City Council voted 5-2 Monday night to request Mayor Shaun Sipma issue a citywide mask mandate.

The mandate requires anyone within the city limits to wear a face covering over the mouth and nose in all indoor or outdoor environments where they are exposed to non-household members and where social distancing of six feet or more cannot be maintained.

There is no penalty for noncompliance with the mandate.

The mayoral declaration will allow exceptions for:

– Individuals younger than school aged.

– While actively eating or drinking.

– Performing a job that is inhibited by the use of masks and cannot maintain a six foot distance.

– Driving with people from your household or alone.

– Competing in athletic activities where a six foot distance is not achievable and a mask is inhibits the activity.

– Receiving services that require access to the face for security, surveillance or other purposes. Individuals may temporarily remove a face covering while receiving those services.

– Engaging in religious worship activities; however, face coverings are strongly encouraged.

– Giving a speech or performance for broadcast or to an audience; however, those persons shall safely distance from nearby individuals.

The mandate is effective immediately and will remain in effect until the current state of emergency ends or until modified or ended by the mayor or city council.