Masks still offer the first line of defense against the spread of COVID-19.
One listener through our Q&AZ project wanted to know if current regulations require Mesa grocery store employees to inform unmasked customers about mask mandates.
Both Mesa and Maricopa County require people to wear masks in and around public places where food and drink are sold.
Mesa Mayor John Giles says city rules call for cashiers to refuse service to customers who don't comply, but the emphasis should be on education, not escalation.
"We don't want to be provocative. We don't want to escalate bad feelings in the community. But this is important enough that we can't ignore it either, so we've got to try to strike a balance," Giles said.
One possible option: The Arizona Department of Health Services offers a COVID-19 Compliance Hotline at 1-844-410-2157 and a website at www.azhealth.gov/complianceCOVID19.
