The Ocala City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution that strongly encourages residents and guests to wear face coverings while indoors.
Council President Justin Grabelle and members Brent R. Malever, Ire J. Bethea and Jay A. Musleh voted for the measure. Council member Matthew Wardell, who has led the charge for the city's mask ordinance, was absent from the meeting.
City officials said the resolution is just a recommendation and has no force of law. The resolution doesn't replace the city mask ordinance, which is set to expire on April 3.
There was a provision in the mask ordinance that fined businesses $25 if someone was found not wearing a face covering. But there was no active enforcement of the ordinance. And now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has outlawed such fines, that part of the ordinance is moot, anyway.