Camp Verde says no to mask mandate

CAMP VERDE — Camp Verde is not a mask-mandatory municipality, Town Manager Russ Martin said Monday morning.

Mayor Charlie German said later that day that he wants people to wear masks, but he’s not forcing the issue.

In a press release Monday, German stated that he will not issue a mandatory requirement to wear face masks, at least not at this time.

“I am not a fan of enacting something that is not enforceable,” German wrote. “The reality is, there is not enough man power and deputies to enforce such an order. In addition, there are some residents who have underlying medical conditions that prevents their ability to wear a mask.”

Rather than require citizens to wear masks in public, German urged Camp Verde’s residents and visitors to follow guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Yavapai County Community Health Services.

“The best way to encourage people to wear a mask is through public education and by setting a good example,” German wrote. “I ask the residents of Camp Verde to join me in using personal accountability in how you interact with the public. We need to work together as a community by taking these responsible steps. Only then, we will slow the spread of COVID-19.”

On June 19, Clarkdale and Cottonwood issued mayoral proclamations requiring facial coverings. The Sedona and Jerome councils will consider mask requirements at their Tuesday, June 23 meetings.

Jerome’s council met Saturday, June 20 in a special Zoom session in response to Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order that gave towns authority to establish requirements to wear masks.

In a June 18 news release, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors stated that it would not require face coverings.

“We are not going to mandate mask-wearing, but we strongly encourage everyone wear a mask when in public and in enclosed areas,” Board Chair Craig Brown stated in the release.