BISMARCK, N.D. (KCND) – The Bismarck City Commission has passed a mask mandate, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The mandate does not have any penalty provisions. It passed on a 3 to 2 vote. It will last one month, Nov. 1st until Dec. 8th, and could be extended if the commissioners believe the mandate is still needed.
Commissioner Nancy Guy proposed the mandate language. And at the Commission meeting, she criticized Governor Burgum for not adopting a statewide mask mandate. She said if the state hits the 15% average positive tests, she believes the state will have another economic shutdown and that will be made by Burgum
Guy voted for it, even though she wanted some kind of penalty provision. But other commissioners say they could not support fines against businesses. Mayor Steve Bakken was one of the “No” votes. He said it still comes down to personal responsibility.
The other Commissioner voting no was Mark Splonskowski who said it should be a matter of choice