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Cameron Responds to Beshear's Mask Mandate

Cameron Responds to Beshear's Mask Mandate
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jul. 10, 2020 | FRANKFORT
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 10, 2020 | 03:05 PM | FRANKFORT
Attorney General Daniel Cameron has released a statement addressing Governor Andy Beshear's executive order requiring all Kentuckians to wear masks.

In the statement, Cameron says his office is filing a motion in Scott Circuit Court, requesting that a judge consider whether Beshear's mask mandate complies with the current temporary restraining order, which stops enforcement of COVID-19 executive orders that are not in compliance with state law.

Cameron says the step would be unnecessary if Beshear had consulted with his office prior to issuing the mandate.

He said, "The Governor has refused input on his executive orders, despite offers of assistance.  This pattern has led to numerous challenges in court, all of which he has lost."

According to Cameron, the request is not about whether or not it is appropriate to wear a mask, and goes on to say that he does believe masks are a very important tool in fighting the pandemic. Instead, he says the request is about determining if Beshear's executive order actually follows state law.

"As the chief law officer for the Commonwealth, it is my duty to raise this question before the court and ensure that the law is followed," Cameron said.

You can read Cameron's full statement below:

"Today, our office is filing a motion in Scott Circuit Court asking the Judge to consider whether Governor Beshear's most recent executive order requiring face coverings complies with the current temporary restraining order stopping enforcement of COVID-19 executive orders that are not in compliance with state law. 

Had the Governor consulted with our office and the leadership of the General Assembly on his order prior to its issuance, this step would have been unnecessary. The Governor has refused input on his executive orders, despite offers of assistance. This pattern has led to numerous challenges in court, all of which he has lost. 

To be clear, the request we are making to the court today is not about whether or not it is appropriate to wear a mask. It is my belief that masks are an important tool in fighting this pandemic. It is, however, about determining if the Governor's executive order mandating mask use follows state law. As the chief law officer for the Commonwealth, it is my duty to raise this question before the court and ensure that the law is followed."

During his Thursday press conference, Beshear says that as of 5 p.m. on July 10, all Kentuckians visiting any place of business will be required to wear a mask. 

Anyone refusing to follow the mandate will first receive a warning, but Beshear says the could face fines if they are a repeat offender.
Under the executive order, face masks are required in the following situations:

"While inside, or waiting in line to enter, any: retail establishment; grocery store; pharmacy; hair salon/barbershop; nail salon/spa; tattoo parlor; child care facility; restaurant or bar (when not seated and consuming food or beverage); health care setting, or; any other indoor public space in which it is difficult to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from all individuals who are not members of that person's household;

"While waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit, or while riding in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle, or driving any of the above while customers are present; or

"While in outdoor public spaces in which the person cannot maintain a physical distance of six feet from all individuals who are not members of the person's household and is not otherwise covered by previously issued guidance."

There will be a few exemptions to the order, including children who are younger than 5, anyone with a disability, or anyone with a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from safely wearing a mask.  

A copy of the executive order can be found at the link below.

On the Net:

Mask Executive Order
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