BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – The Brookings City Council approved a citywide indoor mandate on masks. The addition to the city’s pandemic restrictions includes a requirement for wearing a face covering in any indoor public or business space where social distancing is not possible. A second addition requires masks at city-permitted events.

The restrictions already include capacity limits on some businesses and a mask requirement for employees at bars, restaurants and salons.

Brookings lawyer Jared Gass spoke against any mask mandate.

A number of medical experts and doctors spoke in favor of the mask mandate, saying the vast majority of scientific evidence shows that masks work. Among them, Mary Ann Krogh, Dean of the College of Nursing at SDSU.

The Council voted 5-2 to implement the mask mandates. Leah Brink and Joey Collins voted “no.” Violations of the mask ordinance have the same punishment as other city violations, with a fine of up to $200.

An additional resolution clarifies the ordinance and lays out some exemptions. City Manager Paul Briseno addressed the issue.

That measure passed 7-0.