Rehoboth Seashore lifts masks mandate, implements voluntary plastic straw ban

The town of Rehoboth Beach is lifting its mask mandate in most public places, including the boardwalk – after the state moved on Friday.

Some city commissioners agree that urging residents to get vaccinated is important, and lifting mask requirements for vaccinated individuals will help convince people on the fence.

The discussion revolved around mandating masks in government buildings, including City Hall, which are slated to reopen in June.

City Administrator Sharon Lynn says some employees want the masks to remain.

“The people who deal one-to-one with the public, front and center at the entrance to the lobby, as well as building and licensing, told me today that they would be more comfortable if the public wore a mask when entering the public would support building, ”says Lynn.

The commissioners decided to force only unvaccinated people to hide in government buildings in the city

Lynn said signing will begin immediately and will require masks for unvaccinated individuals in public places and government buildings.

Commissioner Ed Chrzanowski wondered why the city’s Emergency Ordinance still existed if it merely reflected the governor’s orders.

Mayor Stan Mills, like the state, says he prefers to hold the city down for the time being in an emergency, noting, for example, that the city’s meterless Monday program is tied to order.

The Rehoboth Beach Commissioners have also implemented a voluntary plastic straw ban.

But some say it doesn’t go far enough.

The Rehoboth Beach Environmental Committee’s proposal to the Board of Commissioners was a mandatory ban on all plastic straws in the city unless they are necessary for someone with a disability.

Commissioner Richard Byrne says this is in line with a bill under state parliament review that would ban most single-use plastics and styrofoam nationwide.

“In any case, the foundation stone for this will be laid nationwide in the next legislature next year, and if this becomes a law that bans plastic straws except when requested,” says Byrne.

Byrne advocated a mandatory ban as lawmakers may not get a one-way plastic ban this year.

But it has been pushed back by the business community trying to make it a volunteer initiative.

Commissioners ultimately supported this approach, although Commissioner Pat Coluzzi argues that a voluntary ban will not do much to curb the use of plastic straw.