Masks or face coverings are required in all public places in Birmingham effective May 1.

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday morning approved the ordinance requiring face coverings for all 2 and older. In the initial vote, the ordinance was unanimously approved. However, later in the meeting after an executive session, District 2 councilor Hunter Williams changed his vote to “no.”

“I voted no because I thought it was an government overstep to have such a hefty fine, especially dealing with parents of small children,” Williams said in an email to AL.com.

The ordinance defines a mask as “A device to cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the spread of saliva or other fluids during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other intentional or involuntary action.” It doesn’t require the masks be medical-grade, just that they cover the wearer’s nose and mouth.

The masks must be worn in all public places, which the ordinance defines as anywhere outside the person’s vehicle or home.

You’re not required to wear a mask when exercising outdoors, but a mask is required if you’re “encountering and interacting with groups of other people in a park or other public place.”

While children 2 and older are required to wear a mask, the ordinance recognizes a mask can cause a choking hazard for young children. The ordinance suggests parents and guardians use a stroller with a covering so children can breathe freely. It suggests keeping children who don’t want to wear a mask at home.

Business owners will also be required to make employees wear masks while at work. However, the ordinance says “this shall not be interpreted as requiring businesses to provide face coverings or masks to employees.”

Failure to comply with this ordinance is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days in the municipal jail. Woodfin says a violation of the ordinance should be treated like a curfew violation. Violators will be allowed to either pay a fine or appear in court.

Woodfin has not extended the city’s shelter-in-place order. It’s set to expire April 30.

Read the ordinance here:

Updated at 4:06 p.m. to add that Councilor Hunter Williams officially changed his vote to “no” later in the council meeting.