Councilwoman Dickerson to distribute free masks to residents

September 14, 2020

As part of Richland County’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson is holding a drive-through mask giveaway event.

Face coverings will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at the former Walmart Neighborhood Market site, 3603 Broad River Road, Columbia. The masks will be given out in packs of two on a first-come, first-serve basis, and residents can stay in their cars as they pick up the masks. No proof of residency is required.

The event is part of a larger effort by Richland County to distribute masks and help residents follow the County’s mask requirement. The County recently acquired and packaged about 67,000 disposable masks, which will be given away at various sites in the coming weeks.

“County Council and Richland County have continually looked for ways to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Dickerson, who represents District 2. “I’m hosting this event to provide another opportunity for people to get free face coverings and information about the importance of wearing masks.”

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19.

On Aug. 31, County Council voted to extend the County’s mask ordinance, which requires people age 11 and older to wear face coverings in public. The ordinance is in effect until Nov. 6.

For more information on the mask ordinance and upcoming mask distribution events in Richland County, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/facemasks.