On May 18, King County enacted a directive strongly recommending residents wear face coverings in public to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

In response, the city of Kenmore has not only enacted a similar local version but has also announced a new resource to help ensure locals can easily comply.

“We are committed as a community to do everything we can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Kenmore,” said Kenmore manager Rob Karlinsey in a city news release.

The county directive recommends citizens wear a face covering when in an indoor or outdoor public space where they will likely be within six feet of someone who doesn’t live with them. Examples include public transportation, retail and grocery stores, restaurant take-out locations and more.

Kenmore’s proclamation directs all of its residents and businesses to comply with the county’s order, which additionally requires businesses to post signage advising customers to use coverings when inside the space.

Consistent with King County’s recommendation, there will be no penalties if someone does not abide by the directive, which is not being enforced.

To make sure that its residents are able to observe the new recommendation, the city of Kenmore has announced that it is giving away disposable face masks for a limited time.

“Adopting a local face-covering directive and providing masks to our residents are simple but important steps we can take to keep our neighbors and fellow community members safe,” Karlinsey said in the news release.

Locals who don’t have access to face coverings will be able to pick up four-packs of face masks at a time for free at pick-up stations at the front entrance of the southwest corner of Kenmore City Hall.

Pick up stations will be open (starting Tuesday, May 19) on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Thursdays 5-7 p.m.

Kenmore officials reiterated in the news release that homemade coverings are still acceptable. They added in the release that not everyone, including children under 2, someone advised by a medical professional to not use a covering or someone who is deaf and requires their face and mouth to communicate need not comply with the directive.

For more information about Kenmore’s COVID-response, go to www.kenmorewa.gov.