St. Johns County

City of St. Augustine is urging visitors to wear masks

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — City leaders have noticed barely anyone wearing a mask in public places and they’re concerned.

It’s a trend that also doesn’t go unnoticed for store clerks like June Shockley who works on St. George Street and does wear her mask.

“I think we all should wear masks because if we don’t, we’re going to all end up back in quarantine,” said Shockley.

Robert Schubert, a physician visiting from Chicago, was one of the few people Action News Jax saw wearing a mask.

“You can still be downwind somebody coughing, somebody sneezing, I want to protect other people,” said Schubert.

For a city that gets millions of tourists a year, city manager John Regan said wearing your mask helps protect locals and visitors.

“By bringing so many people to come visit our city, there’s a risk of bringing COVID. So the masks help keep our residents, store clerks, waitresses, our attractions and all of us safer,” Regan said.

The city has already made masks available for businesses and starting next week tourists will also be able to purchase a mask at the Visitor’s Information Center.

While the city is strongly recommending wearing a mask or facial covering, it remains the only recommendation.