For public health and safety concerns, the Township falls under the jurisdiction of the Summit County Public Health District – please read the press release below for information on the new Mask Mandate:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Masking Mandatory in Summit County, Akron City

[Akron, OH] –Summit County residents should be advised that masking is mandatory when Summit County is designated as a “Level 3 Red County” through the State of Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System. Additionally, Akron residents are also mandated to wear masks effective immediately. The new state order and city ordinance supersedes any prior sector specific guidance that was provided as part of Responsible Restart Ohio, with the exception of schools, who should follow the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Health guidelines for reopening.

Summit County will enforce these orders through complaint-based monitoring. A resident wishing to make a complaint about a business that is not following the masking orders, not properly socially distancing, or not following recommended cleaning guidance, is encouraged to contact the Summit County Public Health Covid-19 call line at 330-926-5795 or visit our website at www.scph.org/report.

Under the City of Akron Order, businesses that fail to enforce the requirements of the order within their establishment, after a warning and an opportunity to correct the violation, could face a potential civil penalty of $250. Individuals who fail to comply with the order, after a warning and an opportunity to correct the violation, could face a potential civil penalty of $50.

Per the State of Ohio order, facial coverings must be worn in any indoor location that is not a residence; when outdoors and not able to consistently maintain six feet of distance from individuals who are not members of the same household; while waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, private car service or ride sharing vehicle.

Per the State of Ohio order the requirement to wear a facial covering does not apply when:
a. The individual is under ten years of age;
b. A medical condition, including those with respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health conditions, or disability contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering;
c. The individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
d. The individual is alone in an enclosed space, such as an office, and which space is not intended for use or access by the public;
e. The individual is actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exists;
f. The individual is actively participating in athletic practice, scrimmage, or competition that is permitted under a separate Department of Health order;
g. The individual is actively engaged in a public safety capacity, including but not limited to law enforcement, firefighters or emergency medical personnel;
h. The individual is seated and actively consuming food or beverage in a restaurant or bar;
i. Facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation;
j. Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards;
k. Facial coverings are in violation of a business’s documented safety policies;
l. Individual is actively participating in broadcast communications; or
m. Individual is an officiant of a religious service.

Situations when face coverings will be required under the local Akron order:
 While inside public areas of a place of business or City of Akron facility, and when entering, exiting, or waiting in line to enter those areas of a place of business or City of Akron facility
 In any outdoor space where physical distancing of at least six feet is not maintained from others who are not members of the same household
 In any public transportation such as a bus, taxi or ride sharing service
 In common areas of a multi-unit housing building, including, but not limited to, hallways, stairways, elevators, and lobbies
 Places of business shall require face coverings for paying customers and for employees that interact with the public

Exceptions and situations when face coverings are not required under the local Akron order:
 Those who cannot wear face coverings due to a medical, mental health, developmental condition
 Children under the age of ten
 Those who are unable to remove the face mask without assistance and anyone who should not wear face coverings under CDC guidance
 While eating or drinking, and bar and restaurant patrons while sitting at their own table or place at the bar
 When inside a personal or commercial vehicle that is not public transportation
 When actually exercising at a gym with six feet of physical distance
 Exercising or walking outdoors with six feet of physical distance or with members of the same household
 Inside a workspace not intended for use by the general public
 Inside religious institutions, and individuals whose religious beliefs, as defined under state law, would be substantially burdened by wearing a face covering
 Individuals while in a school or school district facilities, in which case that school’s regulations and Ohio Department of Education guidelines should be followed
 Where facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation or would violate established employment practices or industry standards
 While working as a public safety employee or emergency responder when it would interfere with their job, and those complying with directions from public safety employees and emergency responders
 Any other exception applicable under an order from the Ohio Department of Health related to face coverings.

If you have questions, call the COVID-19 Call Line (330) 926-5795. The call line is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. M-F. Or visit our website at www.scph.org/covid