The Rapid City City Council is holding a special session tonight for the first reading of a proposed city-wide mask mandate, and it’s looking to be a long session.
Mayor Steve Allender has encouraged sending comments in advance to the City’s website since social distancing protocols only allow for around 25 people to be present, and more than 260 comments had been received by 8:30 this morning.
City communication coordinator Darrell SHoemaker says hundreds of public comments were received back in April when the Council considered initial COVID restrictions for businesses and public facilities.
The new proposed mandate makes masks mandatory in indoor public spaces where large crowds or social distancing aren’t possible.