Masked Until You’re Vaxxed

Update: the City of North Liberty has updated its policy based on public health guidance, requiring masks in its public buildings effective Aug. 11, 2021.

The City of North Liberty, in line with public health guidance, has adopted a “masked until you’re vaxxed” policy for staff and patrons in public facilities.

This policy means if patrons and staff who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, meaning two weeks have passed since they have received the second of two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, they are no longer required to wear a mask in our facilities in most circumstances. Those who have yet to be fully vaccinated will still be asked to wear a mask. Children and those who work with them, specifically in our before- and after-school program and in other interactive programming at the Community Center, are still expected to wear masks inline with CDC guidelines.

Those who are fully vaccinated but more comfortable wearing a mask are certainly welcome to do so.

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to anyone 12 years or older. You can find a vaccine near you by visiting vaccinate.iowa.gov.

On May 25, 2021, the North Liberty City Council passed the following resolution, No. 2021-49, providing continuing guidance regarding the North Liberty Face Covering Public Health Initiative to help combat COVID-19:

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA:

WHEREAS, the City of North Liberty has adopted the North Liberty Face Covering Public Health Initiative to help combat the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the North Liberty Face Covering Public Health Initiative encourages, but does not mandate, that individuals and businesses in the City to comply with recommended safety practices to reduce the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, providing that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; and

WHEREAS, few, if any, community members under age sixteen have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no community members under the age of twelve are yet eligible to be vaccinated, and some otherwise eligible members may be unwilling or unable to become vaccinated; and

WHEREAS, it is critically important to protect the residents, visitors, students and employees in the City of North Liberty from the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the City of North Liberty desires that individuals and businesses in the City comply with recommended practices to reduce the spread of the virus.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the North Liberty Face Covering Public Health Initiative is hereby modified to be in harmony with current public health recommendations. To wit:

All eligible persons within the corporate limits of the City of North Liberty are encouraged to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus to help protect themselves and others.

Fully-vaccinated people may safely resume most activities without need for wearing mask or social distancing. Fully-vaccinated people should still get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Fully-vaccinated people should not visit private or public settings if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Fully-vaccinated people should continue to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.

Fully-vaccinated people who feel they should continue wearing masks are urged to keep doing so. Residents should respect the policies of private businesses, facilities, and events that may require mask-wearing. The individual choices of residents to wear masks should also be respected.

All other North Liberty Face Covering Public Health Initiative recommendations concerning face coverings and social distancing for unvaccinated persons remain unchanged.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of May, 2021.