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City of Galena kicks off mask wearing campaign

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GALENA–The message is simple: Wear a mask.

The city of Galena, Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, Galena Downtown Business Association, Galena Country Tourism and Northwest Illinois Economic Development are launching a campaign to spread that message and hopefully slow the spread of the coronavirus locally.

Jo Daviess County was recently placed in a warning level as a result of the steep increase in coronavirus infections in recent weeks.

The campaign, which was presented to the Galena City Council Monday, Aug. 10 for approval, includes a variety of components:

•portable sandwich boards and small light post signs for each block of Main Street and public parking area to communicate the “Downtown Mask Zone.”

•50 additional social distancing decals for downtown sidewalks.

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•purchase of 20,000 disposable face masks to be distributed to every downtown business

•rent a billboard on U.S. 20. The billboard is leaving Galena and heading toward Elizabeth.

•place hand washing stations in the outdoor seating area on North Main Street (already implemented).

According to Galena City Administrator Mark Moran, funding for the campaign is reimbursable through the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Program, which makes up to $141,000 available to Galena through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The mask campaign costs are currently $9,763.30.

Aside from the campaign, city staff have identified $17,500 in eligible expenses already incurred by the city, not including campaign expenses or staff time.

If the city council approves the campaign, the plan is to move forward with the various components as quickly as possible.