(Radio Iowa) — The City of Dubuque is joining the growing list of local governments to issue a face covering mandate, defying the governor’s opinion that local orders are unenforceable. Weeks ago, the White House Coronavirus Task Force labeled Dubuque County as a COVID-19 red zone. Police Chief Mark Dalsing (DOLL-sing) says regardless of officers’ personal views, they will enforce the measure, with a focus on education.

“For the most part, we’re probably going to see compliance. Maybe they go around the corner and stop complying, but we can do what we can do,” Dalsing says. “There is a possibility that somebody is going to try to make a political stand and force the issue, and we’ll see where that goes.”

City council members say they’re very worried about a resurgence as schools reopen, and are deeply troubled by the county’s death toll of 31 people. The mandate will go into effect Saturday (tomorrow) and the city intends to start enforcing it on Monday.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)