Collier County will now require wearing of masks inside businesses, a decision that came one week after commissioners had voted against the mask mandate.

Penny Taylor, the board member who changed her vote says that even after many, many citizens signed up for public comment during the emergency meeting held on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, their comments weren’t what swayed her. She said she based her decision on the county’s rapidly rising rate, over 15%, of positive COVID-19 cases.

“A mask is important, and I’m convinced of that now,” said Taylor. She also noted that Collier’s rate is higher than Palm Beach and Broward, two counties that were of serious concern.

The mandate states that people must wear masks in businesses, and is in place until September 3, 2020. Businesses are responsible for enforcing the mandate or they can be fined up to $500. Religious institutions and kids under 9-years-old are not part of the mandate.

While there were public comments made both for and against the mandate, many people agreed with Taylor. There were some people who felt outraged by the mandate. They expressed that they were angry about government overreach.

Taylor states that she was more worried about the safety and health of the public and felt requiring masks during a pandemic is not an overreach.

The mandate does not apply to the City of Naples or Marco Island, unless their city councils make a decision to opt-in.