City of Central Sets Itself Apart From EBR, Won’t Require Masks

On June 30, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome issued an “order” purporting to forbid any person from entering a business located in East Baton Rouge Parish without wearing a mask. However, later that day, Central Mayor David Barrow announced that the mandatory mask policy would not be followed in the City of Central. Zachary Mayor David Amrhein said the City of Zachary would not require masks either.

Mayor Barrow said requiring masks is not enforceable. “You should wear a mask if that’s how you feel but it cannot be mandated,” he said. “It’s an enforcement issue. The City of Central can’t be running around all over town arresting citizens and charging them with not wearing a mask. Everyone should continue social distancing and other safeguards but there’s only so far government can go. Of course, if a business requires it, that’s up to the business and the customer but not the City of Central!” Amrhein said he encourages good hygiene and social distancing. 

Businesses in Central and Zachary could experience a boom as citizens who don’t agree with mandatory masks decide to shop here.