MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Leaders in Monongalia County and the City of Morgantown are taking additional steps in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 that began in the county earlier this month.
Morgantown City Council voted Tuesday to make masks mandatory in public places without social distancing exceptions, adding to an executive order signed by Gov. Jim Justice a week ago.
“The governor’s order includes a mandate to wear face coverings, but does provide some exceptions due to social distancing inside,” Morgantown Mayor Ron Dulaney said on MetroNews “Talkline” Tuesday. “Our ordinance eliminates that exception, so now face coverings will be required at midnight tonight inside businesses without exception.”
Morgantown City Mayor Ron Dulaney talks with @HoppyKercheval about a meeting held to look into further prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and what measures will be put in place. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/F4lKvKR0Ji
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) July 14, 2020
Morgantown Council members also agreed to a three-strike plan to handle businesses with three or more COVID-19 positive cases.
After the first three positive tests at a business they would be forced to close for deep cleaning and an inspection by health department officials. The second occurrence of three positive tests would require the business to close for 14 days, deep clean and submit to another health department inspection, on the third occurrence the business would be closed until the outbreak is slowed and health department officials determine it is safe to reopen.
The measures go into effect at midnight Wednesday, the same time a mask order for businesses from the Monongalia Health Department takes hold. Gov. Justice signed an executive order Monday mandating bars in Monongalia County close for 10 days.
Dr. Lee Smith joins @HoppyKercheval to take a look at the increased spread of COVID-19 in Monongalia County. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/MArCv0mhRC
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) July 14, 2020
Monongalia County Health Officer Dr. Lee Smith said he’s hopeful the action will help stop the spike and pave the way for the reopening to continue.
“I think it’s going to help some,” Smith said during an appearance Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline.” “I have some concern that if the numbers don’t turn around or plateau or reduce we’re setting ourselves up for additional closures.”
Monongalia County currently has most active coronavirus cases in the state at 365. Smith said the number of cases has tripled since July 1. He said the cases are being tied to bars, restaurants and travel, but primarily bars.
“We’ve had about 70 people of those who have just been at a couple of bars,” he said. “Then we’ve had a couple restaurants where the staff has been infected, patrons have been infected and owners have been infected.”
Dulaney said the city will use trespassing laws to enforce the ordinance.
“If a customer comes into a business and the business asks that customer to either put on a mask or leave and the customer would refuse. At that point, the business owner could call the police on the matter of trespassing,” Dulaney said.
The Monongalia County Commission held a special meeting Monday that included Smith, Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer, WVU representatives, WVU Medicine, Mon Health Systems, Monongalia County Schools, and representatives of the municipalities of Westover, Star City and Granville. Commission President Ed Hawkins said the group’s goal is to work toward getting things back to business as usual.
“We want to go back to being healthy. We’ve got WVU students coming in,” Hawkins said.