FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KWNA/KFTA) — UPDATE: The Fayetteville City Council passes a new mask mandate.

The vote on the ordinance was unanimous. Holly Herzberg of Ward 4 did not attend the meeting.

The mandate takes effect immediately.

The council also voted to pass a clause to declare an emergency in the city.

Council Member Matthew Petty sponsored the ordinance.

He said he acted fast after a state court granted an injunction against the state’s mask mandate ban that made it so cities couldn’t enact one.

“We took action immediately,” Petty said. “This is an emergency and we want to treat it like that.”

Mayor Lioneld Jordan said Fayetteville would have likely implemented a mandate regardless of the injunction.

“This council’s not been one to sit and idly let things go, and neither am I,” Jordan said.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan has called a special meeting of the Fayetteville City Council to take place at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, August 6.

The special meeting has been called to discuss a new ordinance to require persons to wear face masks in public service areas in City-owned buildings and places of public accommodation, subject to reasonable exemptions; and to declare an emergency.

The meeting will be held virtually, with some council members in chambers at City Hall.

The special City Council meeting will be live-streamed and recorded. Members of the public who wish to view a live video of these meetings can do so on the City of Fayetteville’s YouTube Channel.

Anyone who wishes to join the meeting can register to attend using the Zoom link, which will be available in the City’s public meeting calendar.