Mask of confusion in Port Orange, Daytona Beach

PUERTO NARANJA, Fla. – There is confusion over the mask mandates in Volusia County. Daytona Beach is fining people who don’t comply with the mandate, but just a few steps away in Port Orange, you don’t need to use one.

At Daytona Beach, the mask’s mandate is no joke. The city commission voted this week to enforce its mandate with fines, charging $ 50 for first-time violators and up to $ 150 for not wearing a mask in public after that.

Right next door in Port Orange, it’s a different story.

“I don’t want to go there. Even if I go there, I’m wearing my mask,” said one man.

Port Orange this week rejected a recommendation to wear masks.

The line between the two municipalities is blurred. It is in the middle of Clyde Morris Boulevard. This is Port Orange. Without mask, no problem. But now, I’m in Daytona Beach and I’d better put on that mask or they’ll fine me.

“It is up to each mayor to decide what they want to do and it is also up to us as people,” said Mia Boddie, who lives in Daytona Beach.

Boddie lives in Daytona but works in Port Orange. Your job requires that you wear a mask.

“Honestly, when I’m at work, people often come with one and we have the plexiglass to keep everyone protected, so nobody asks if they have to wear one, people just do it,” Boddie said.

But, others say that this is not always the case.

“To enter stores, you must have your mask, but once people enter stores, you see people wearing it here [points below his nose]”said a man.” It’s everywhere except where they should have it. “

the same man referred to the conflicting rules in neighboring cities.

“We need some consistency and once we have some consistency, it would be a great help,” he said.

The mayor of Port Orange says part of the reason the mask recommendation was rejected because other members of the city council felt that most people were already wearing masks.