Concerns from businesses being held responsible for customer compliance

August 10, 2020

RE: Remove Provision E from Mask Ordinance

Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council,

As proponents of the “mask of wellness” initiative the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce promotes the campaign and the health and behavior protocols necessary for public and economic welfare of our community. We understand the recent actions taken by the City with the newly enacted mask ordinance. However, we do have concerns and have heard from many businesses regarding provision “E” of the ordinance.

The Chamber does not agree with businesses being held responsible for customer compliance to the mask ordinance. We do encourage employers to abide with clear employee directives, however mandating that businesses must refuse service to customers who do not follow the ordinance seems well beyond the rule of government. Businesses should not be enforcers of a mandate directed at the citizens of Dubuque.

This temporary but indefinite ordinance should be enforced by the City and let businesses focus on their recovery efforts. We respectfully ask the City hold individual violators accountable and relieve businesses from this burden.

Please remove the section “E” provision from the current mask ordinance.

Thank you for your attention and urgent consideration.

Sincerely,

Molly Grover, CCE, IOM
President
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce

CC: City Manager Michael C. Van Milligen