NEENAH - An ordinance that would have enacted a citywide mask mandate to slow the spread of the coronavirus was withdrawn Wednesday because of the division it exposed within the Neenah community.
In its place, the Common Council unanimously ratified a proclamation for a mask advisory that was issued Monday by Mayor Dean Kaufert.
The proclamation urges but does not require the use of face coverings by residents of, visitors to and businesses within the city of Neenah, until such time that the city’s COVID-19 case data indicates the pandemic has abated.
Council member Danae Steele introduced the ordinance for the mask mandate last week after the Wisconsin Supreme Court nullified Gov. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate and blocked Evers from issuing new ones.